Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton Ejected for Shoe Throw vs Tempo

Game‑Day Conflict Escalates

Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton left the New York Liberty’s 93‑91 loss to the Toronto Tempo in the fourth quarter after she was ejected for tossing a sneaker onto the court. The play began when Sabrina Ionescu drew a charge, and as officials stopped the action Laney‑Hamilton retrieved a shoe and threw it toward Marina Mabrey. The shoe struck Mabrey in the back, prompting a technical foul and automatic ejection after it was her second penalty of the night.

Laney‑Hamilton’s night had already been marred by earlier frictions. She received a flagrant‑1 foul in the second quarter and a technical in the third after a push with Mabrey that sent both players to the bench. The referee, Kevin Fahy, assessed the technical for “projectile onto the court” and confirmed the ejection in the post‑game pool report. Mabrey later converted the resulting free throw, putting Toronto two points ahead.

Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco voiced disbelief at the sequence. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” DeMarco said, describing the momentum shift and the “atrocious call.” He also noted how a defender had been fouled earlier without a whistle, adding that the incident was “pathetic.” The comments were captured on the coach’s official Twitter account shortly after the final whistle.

Technical Details and Impact

A technical foul becomes an ejection after a player’s second such penalty in a single game under WNBA rule 12.2.3. The league’s instant‑review process confirmed the call, and the league’s post‑game report listed the shoe throw as the decisive infraction. The ejection removed a key defensive contributor for the remainder of the contest, and the Liberty were unable to recover the two‑point deficit.

Laney‑Hamilton addressed the incident on social media, stating she never intended to hit anyone and was merely trying to retrieve a teammate’s lost shoe. Mabrey echoed that sentiment, suggesting the throw appeared accidental. Both players have been disciplined only with the technical and ejection, preserving their standing for future games.

What It Means for the Rest of the Season

The loss drops New York to a .500 record, while Toronto remains in the thick of the playoff chase. Both teams will need to address the growing friction between their star players as the schedule intensifies. Next week the Liberty host a rival squad, and the Tempo face a back‑to‑back road set. The incident adds a new plot point to a league that has seen its share of high‑stakes altercations over the past season.

The episode will likely spark discussion among fans and analysts about sportsmanship and disciplinary consistency. As the WNBA continues its 30th season, moments like these shape the narrative of each week’s games. Stay tuned for updates on both teams’ next outings and any further league response.