A WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Toronto Tempo on Sunday took a bizarre turn when Liberty player Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was ejected late in the fourth quarter after throwing a shoe that struck an opposing player. The incident occurred with less than two minutes remaining in a closely contested game that the Liberty ultimately lost 93-91.
Shoe Toss Leads to Ejection
The controversial moment unfolded with 1:48 left on the clock. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s shoe came off during play. In an attempt to return it to her teammate Jonquel Jones, Laney-Hamilton threw the sneaker across the court. Unfortunately, the shoe missed its intended recipient and hit Toronto Tempo player Marina Mabrey in the back. Officials reviewed the play and assessed Laney-Hamilton a second technical foul for throwing a projectile onto the court, resulting in her immediate ejection.
The ejection came at a critical juncture. Mabrey successfully made the ensuing free throw, extending Toronto’s lead to 91-89. The New York Liberty had mounted an impressive comeback, overcoming a 20-point deficit earlier in the game, but ultimately fell short of securing a victory.
History of Antagonism Between Players
According to reports, the shoe incident was not an isolated moment of friction between Laney-Hamilton and Mabrey. The two players had been engaged in verbal exchanges throughout the entire game. Both had already received a technical foul in the third quarter for their interactions, indicating a heightened level of tension between them.
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco expressed his disbelief and frustration following the game. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” DeMarco stated. “We had all the momentum in the world. A shoe hit somebody. Ejected, free throws. I’ve also never seen a ref make such an atrocious call when he’s on the other side of the floor.” He emphasized his belief that Laney-Hamilton’s action was not intentional.
Player and Coach Statements
Post-game, both players involved and their coaches offered their perspectives on the unusual event. Marina Mabrey acknowledged that while being hit by the shoe was startling, she understood Laney-Hamilton’s primary intention. “I had to take a couple breaths,” Mabrey recounted. “But I think she was really just trying to get the shoe back to JJ. But I’ll take the free throw.” She confirmed that Laney-Hamilton was not aiming to hit her, a sentiment echoed by Laney-Hamilton herself.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton vehemently denied any intent to strike Mabrey with the shoe. “I would never intentionally try to hit someone with a shoe, especially while they’re not looking,” she said, as reported by the New York Post. “Teammate was without a shoe, so I did my best to try and get it to her. Unfortunately, it did hit someone. I know just by the way that things were going throughout the game that it can look a certain way, but that’s just not something that I would personally do… especially in a moment like that where game is on the line.”
Toronto coach Sandy Brondello, a former coach of the Liberty, also weighed in, suggesting she believed the shoe hitting Mabrey was unintentional. The pool report from the game indicated that the review focused on the shoe hitting Mabrey and the subsequent technical foul, without explicitly mentioning intent.
Game Context and Standings
The New York Liberty, now holding a 13-11 record, were unable to complete their significant comeback after falling behind by 20 points. Their next game is scheduled for Thursday against the Dallas Wings.
The Toronto Tempo secured a victory in what was described as one of their most unusual wins of the season, improving their record to 10-13. The game marked a memorable, albeit controversial, conclusion to their matchup with the Liberty.
Conclusion
The incident involving Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s shoe throw and subsequent ejection highlights the intense emotions and unpredictable nature of professional basketball. While the Liberty felt the call was harsh, particularly given the context of the game and the players’ statements, the referees’ decision stood, impacting the final moments of a hard-fought contest. Both teams now look to regroup and focus on their upcoming schedules, with the memory of this peculiar game-ending play lingering.
