The Los Angeles Sparks were nearing halftime with a 43-36 lead over the Phoenix Mercury and looked comfortably in control, but that was until absolute chaos broke out.
As Mercury guard Celeste Taylor shot a free throw with 18.8 seconds left in the second quarter, Brittney Griner and Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson collided before Griner appeared to elbow Jackson in the face. Jackson then took exception to the blow by trading words with the 6-foot-9 center and shoving began.
The two furious players had to be separated and they still argued as they walked to their teams’ benches.
After a long official review, both Jackson and Griner were dealt double technical fouls each and ejected.
Jackson, the Sparks’ No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, finished with eight points and grabbed three rebounds. Griner was the leading scorer in the game with 14 points up until she was tossed and her night was over.
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