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In a dramatic Thursday night when the Las Vegas Aces were just able to get past the Phoenix Mercury in a 103-99 win, questionable refereeing dictated how the game would turn out and it would be criticized.
From start to finish, the Mercury couldn’t catch a break from a whistle as they took 26 fouls compared to 16 by the Aces. While some calls were justified, others raised eyebrows and caused confusion.
When asked about her overall takeaways and thoughts on the game, Phoenix guard Sophie Cunningham did not hold back as she called out the referees point blank.
“The referees were awful tonight, absolutely horrible, you can’t miss that last call with Kah [Kahleah Copper],” Cunningham said. “I think we are going to be better from it. There’s a lot of things we can control. We are going to move on from it and will be alright.”
Nate Tibbetts and Sophie Cunningham commented on the officiating of Mercury vs Aces:
Tibbetts: "I'm kind of at a loss for words."
Cunningham: "The refs were awful tonight. Absolutely horrible. You can't miss that last call with [Kahleah]."#ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/SAwxsaMUsi
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 14, 2024
What she was referring to with Copper specifically was when it was 97-95 Aces with 46.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Vegas guard Jackie Young pushed off of Copper before scoring the game-deciding shot.
Some may call it a flop by Copper, but the thousands of booing fans watching inside Footprint Center and others online were shocked that it wasn’t called an offensive foul on Young. Had it been ruled as a foul, the shot would not have counted and possession would have been given to the Mercury who could have tied it or taken a lead on the next play.
These calls in the Aces vs Mercury have been hot trash! Jackie Young clear offensive foul…and how was it a KFC foul??
Ridiculous refs!!
pic.twitter.com/VPzmsnS1je
— Nessa (@AnezOlana) June 14, 2024
THAT WAS A FOUL ON JACKIE YOUNG
REFS…..ARE YOU KIDDING ME
— Corban Ford (@corbannba) June 14, 2024
That’s not an offensive foul by Jackie Young? Wow
— Psalmy (@7salmy) June 14, 2024
That is an INSANE no call !! lol OFFENSIVE FOUL on Jackie Young wtf
— Lew Sid (@LewSidRaps) June 14, 2024
Trying to wrap his head around what happened in the game, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts had a hard time trying to come up with a response.
“I don’t know what to say about the officiating to be quite honest with you,” Tibbetts said. “I am kind of at a loss of words.”
Las Vegas was trailing 28-12 after the first quarter and snapped out of their cold start courtesy of 66 points combined between Young and WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson. The Aces showed a bigger sense of urgency and were more physical, helping them overcome their early struggles.
Phoenix was ultimately eliminated from the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with the loss, going 3-2. The Minnesota Lynx will face the New York Liberty for the tournament championship.
While Cunningham and Tibbetts questioned the officials’ job in a must-win game they lost, Mercury icon Diana Taurasi maneuvered in a different direction, presumably because she didn’t want to be fined by the league.
“I am so happy we have charters [charter flights],” Taurasi said, jokingly.
More must-reads:
- Red-hot Fever are a threat even without Caitlin Clark
- Fever extend winning streak without Caitlin Clark
- The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz
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