Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton Ejected After Shoe Incident in Loss

Incident Overview

New York Liberty guard‑forward Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton was sent off late in Sunday’s game against the Toronto Tempo after a shoe she was handling struck Marina Mabrey in the back. The clash occurred with 1:48 left as the Liberty fell 93‑91 in Montreal. Laney‑Hamilton, who had earlier earned a technical foul for a separate exchange with Mabrey, said she never meant to hit her opponent.

“I would never intentionally try to hit someone with a shoe, especially while they’re not looking,” Laney‑Hamilton explained, according to 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.”

Coach Chris DeMarco commented that the team was trying to return the footwear to Jonquel Jones, noting, “It hit somebody. I think we are just making stuff up. … I just know it was an atrocious end to that game from the officials.” Both players received technical fouls for the third‑quarter altercation, which also sent Laney‑Hamilton to the floor and involved a later slap to Mabrey’s face during a scramble for a loose ball.

Game Recap

Marina Mabrey led the Tempo with 30 points, adding five assists, two rebounds and a block. She later mentioned being “working on not being rage‑baited” when asked about the flare‑up, insisting she didn’t think the contact was deliberate. Mabrey’s performance helped Toronto stay above the .500 mark despite the loss.

Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton contributed six points and three rebounds for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu anchored the offense with a game‑high 28 points, while Jonquel Jones posted a double‑double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Tempo’s shooting edge was decisive: they hit 52 % of their field goals to the Liberty’s 43 %, and poured in 38 % from three‑point range compared with New York’s 19 %.

The final score reflected the shooting disparity, with Toronto holding off a late Liberty rally to secure the 93‑91 victory. The loss pushes the Liberty to 13‑11 and extends their losing streak to three games.

Context & Impact

Technical fouls for on‑court altercations are a recurring theme in the WNBA, often leading to ejections that can shift momentum. The incident adds to a growing conversation about player safety and the handling of loose equipment during play.

Currently, the Liberty sit just above the .500 mark but face an uphill battle for playoff positioning. Their next matchup is a Thursday night tilt at the Dallas Wings (16‑8) in Arlington, Texas. The Tempo, sitting at 10‑13, will host the Washington Mystics (11‑10) on Tuesday in Toronto, both games carrying implications for postseason hopes.

What’s Next

Wednesday’s schedule sees the Liberty aim to halt their slide against a strong Wings squad, while the Tempo will look to build chemistry heading into the Mystics series. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how the ejection influences each team’s strategy and whether the emotional fallout impacts future performances.

The outcomes of these upcoming games could reshape the standings, making every possession and disciplinary decision increasingly critical as the season’s second half approaches.