Cotie McMahon and Kiki Iriafen, two players from the Washington Mystics, are facing WNBA fines after receiving unsportsmanlike conduct fouls during a game against the Dallas Wings.
McMahon was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after an incident with Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale in the fourth quarter. Iriafen later received a technical foul after reacting to a call by forcefully bouncing the ball. Under WNBA rules, McMahon's Flagrant 1 carries one flagrant point and a $500 fine. Iriafen is also subject to a $500 fine because the technical was her second of the season.
The two costly moments did not prevent Washington from earning its fourth consecutive victory and strengthening its position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Mystics walked away with an 81-75 win at CareFirst Arena.
The incident between McMahon and Ogunbowale occurred midway through the fourth quarter as they battled for rebounding position. The two players became tangled before McMahon pushed Ogunbowale to the floor. Officials stopped play and reviewed the sequence, eventually upgrading McMahon's foul to a Flagrant 1.
Iriafen's technical came after she was called for a shooting foul. She responded by bouncing the ball hard enough to draw an immediate whistle from the officials. It was Iriafen's second technical foul of the year.
The two players' reactions did not prevent them from contributing to the team's victory. Iriafen delivered 22 points and nine rebounds, helping the Mystics withstand a strong performance from Paige Bueckers. Shakira Austin led Washington with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
The victory improved Washington to 16-12 and gave the Mystics additional separation in the race for one of the WNBA's eight playoff spots. Washington will continue to battle for a playoff spot, with the pressure on players to maintain their composure in high-stakes games.
Source: Yahoo Sports