Aces coach Becky Hammon delivers profane referee rant for the ages

The Las Vegas Aces were on the losing end of a 95-87 game against the Dallas Wings on Thursday night, and head coach Becky Hammon was pretty steamed afterward.

Not necessarily for the way her team played, but for the way the game was officiated. 

She was not shy in voicing her displeasure, and invited a fine from the league.

She will almost certainly get one.

If not more.

Becky Hammon sounds off on officiating

The source of her frustration was the lack of free-throw attempts for star players A'Ja Wilson, Chennedy Carter and Jackie Young.

The trio went to the line just one time (Wilson), and prompted Hammon to redirect from a different question and sound off on it.

Vulgarly.

From The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant:

“A’ja Wilson shoots one free throw, Chennedy Carter zero, Jackie Young zero. I’m f—ing tired of that bull—t. I’m not saying (the Dallas Wings) didn’t earn their 22 down there, but when Awak Kuier shoots more free throws than A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young and Chennedy Carter, all combined, that’s a problem,” Hammon said. "And give me my fine."

As a team, Las Vegas had just 12 foul shots to 22 for Dallas. 

That's a big disparity. 

Every team, coach, fan and player thinks referees are not giving them a fair whistle when calls are not balanced out, and that is especially true when star players are involved. 

But not every game needs to end with evenly called fouls, because sometimes games simply are not played that way. Sometimes one team commits more fouls than the other. It happens. 

But Hammon's frustration is likely more than just one game. This game was likely just the tipping point that sent her over the edge.

Las Vegas is averaging just 19.3 free-throw attempts per game, the third-lowest mark in the league. They were fifth a year ago with the fourth-largest free-throw attempt differential in the league. 

Things are clearly not playing out that way for them this season. 

Professional sports leagues are not usually happy to hear their officials called out in such a manner, and there is no doubt going to be a heavy punishment coming Hammon's way. A fine seems like a given. It is just a matter of how much it will be, and if there is anything beyond that.