{"id":228094,"date":"2025-10-21T00:19:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T00:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/228094\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T00:19:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T00:19:10","slug":"wnba-rescinds-mercury-coach-tibbetts-second-technical-foul-in-game-4-of-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/228094\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA rescinds Mercury coach Tibbetts\u2019 second technical foul in Game 4 of Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Rob Schumacher\/The Republic \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

PHOENIX \u2014 The WNBA said the second technical foul assessed to Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts in Game 4 of the Finals, which led to his ejection, should not have been called.<\/p>\n

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\n\"Oct<\/p>\n

Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts reacts against the Las Vegas Aces during the second half of game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, the league rescinded Tibbetts\u2019 second technical foul over the weekend, more than a week after the championship series concluded.<\/p>\n

Over the weekend the WNBA admitted that Phoenix Mercury Coach Nate Tibbetts should NOT have been given a second technical and thrown out of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals so that technical was rescinded.<\/p>\n

\u2014 John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) October 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Tibbetts, who finished his second season with the Mercury, was ejected in the third quarter of Game 4 after receiving two technical fouls from referee Gina Cross following an argument over a foul call against guard Monique Akoa Makani. The ejection came at a critical time for Phoenix, which was down 3-0 in the series and trailing the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

Tibbetts claimed he didn\u2019t understand why he was given a second technical during his post-game presser.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s one of the weakest double-techicnals ever,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t even know that I got the second one. I don\u2019t understand it, I feel bad for our team [and] our fans. It wasn\u2019t needed, in my opinion\u2026 I thought it was bullsh\u2014.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans didn\u2019t think it changed anything, as the Finals had already ended and his ejection couldn\u2019t be overturned.<\/p>\n

timely on their part https:\/\/t.co\/SLwlebszAX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lufruentz Dort (@P_Funk36) October 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

When \u201cbetter late than never\u201d is \ud83e\udd2c https:\/\/t.co\/x9QPUKyXcf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mella Reese (@MelodyLanei) October 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Ah, great! \ud83d\ude42 https:\/\/t.co\/X142AGHK4O<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Erika Day (@erikaleaday) October 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The WNBA a little late with this one\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/f6de6kXk9C<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) October 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Oct<\/p>\n

Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts argues with referee Gina Cross (38) and is ejected during the second half of game four against the Las Vegas Aces of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t the only issue with officiating during the postseason. Many head coaches and players criticized the officiating and blamed a lack of experience for numerous player injuries.<\/p>\n

One other instance came during Game 3 of the Mercury and Minnesota Lynx semifinal series on Sept. 26, when Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier rolled her ankle during a play involving Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve charged at the officials, expressing frustration over what she viewed as inconsistent calls throughout the postseason and arguing that a foul should have been called.<\/p>\n

Reeve was consequently ejected from the game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sep 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve calls the play against the Phoenix Mercury during game three of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to call for a change of leaderhsip, at the league level, when it comes to officiating,\u201d she said post-game. \u201cThis is bad for the game. The officating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinals playoff worthy, is f\u2014ing malpractice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the league\u2019s efforts to be transparent and make the correct decision, it came a bit too late. Whether Tibbetts\u2019 ejection influenced the series, it left many questioning the integrity of officiating not only in the championship series but throughout the entire season.<\/p>\n

\"Aug<\/p>\n

Aug 3, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Wilson basketball is seen next to WNBA logo before a game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

With the CBA set to expire at the end of October, officiating is sure to be a priority. However, with no word yet on the status of negotiations, officiating might not be the league\u2019s only concern in 2026.<\/p>\n

Tibbetts and the Mercury have not released a statement on the WNBA\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

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\nWendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde<\/p>\n

Mercury\u2019s Akoa Makani reflects on 2025 rookie season<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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