“There’s usually an incident that goes overlooked… Allen clearly got elbowed in the face right in front of the ref.” While officiating inconsistencies have become a trademark of the WNBA, the pressure levelled up in a highly physical Chicago Sky versus Connecticut Sun game. Though both teams recently faced elimination from the playoffs, it was the officiating pressure that really got under HC Tyler Marsh’s skin for good. And instead of bearing the brutality, he decided to expose the reality of the referees-LIVE. After all, Sun athletes indeed elbowed Rachel Allen in the presence of an official.

While his first season with the Sky has not been easy, Marsh has ensured the integrity of his locker room at all times. And today was no different. Within just 8:05 minutes into the second quarter, the Sky player Elizabeth Williams was pinned down before she went for a driving layup. The Sun continued playing a physically dirty game as the referees watched. Meanwhile, Williams released herself from the opponents’ grip before missing an 8-foot jumper.

So, when a relatively collected HC Marsh watched the replay on the big screen unfold, he immediately charged at the nearest referee. But what began as a coach’s gripe over a non-call almost immediately escalated into a full-scale confrontation with officials. While Marsh stormed with fury, the official in question calmly blew the whistle and ejected him outright. And before the verbal outrage could turn into a physical altercation, forward athlete Angel Reese dived in and held the HC as the Sky coaching staff encircled the head coach.

While the Connecticut Sun came into the spotlight after their dirty play against the Indiana Fever, the now-ejected team has harassed Angel Reese in the past. Remember the hair-pulling incident revolving around Angel Reese and Sun’s Bria Hartley? The situation further escalated when Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Tina Charles tried to save their member from the accusation.

Having said that, several teams and players have borne the brunt of physicality this season. Despite Cathy Engelbert’s promises of improving the matter, this season has seen the worst forms of physical play. No wonder Marsh could no longer control the unjust move! Having said that, this embarrassing incident was enough to send the fans into an online frenzy.

Fans come in support of Tyler Marsh

A fan shared the incident from the Wintrust Arena on social media with a caption that read, “I would have loved Stephanie White to have taken the plunge and gotten ejected to take a stand for the Fever. What we have done so far has not been enough to fix the horrid officiating in the WNBA. Good for Tyler Marsh going off.”

Appreciating HC Marsh’s efforts by speaking out against the physicality and bad calls, the fan hinted that the Indiana Fever HC should have indulged in a similar manner to prevent the Sophie Cunningham and Jacy Sheldon incident. After the league witnessed a head coach getting ejected for the first time this season, fans came in support of Tyler Marsh.  A user wrote, “That boy Tyler Marsh saw red and I ain’t mad at it lol. Gotta ride for your players.”

After all, he took a stand for his locker room and decided against being okay with everything that was happening in the paint. He voiced his opinion but received an ejection instead. However, another user had a different take on the incident. “Tyler Marsh deserved to be ejected, but he’s not wrong: Today’s officiating has been particularly bad, with numerous missed calls (that appear lopsided, too). Officials 55, 7 & 9 are consistently the worst crew. When is the WNBA going to act to improve?”

The user emphasised several unnoticed calls in an extremely physical game. But isn’t that a normal sighting whenever the Sun steps into the hardwood? A user resonated with the sentiment and lashed out with, “Why is it always Connecticut? Why do the refs allow Connecticut to maul everybody else?” And boy is he right! Needless to say, the same team and the same bunch of players have caused trouble across the season.

However, another user pointed fingers at the referee involved in the verbal altercation.”How did Tim Green see Tyler Marsh rush him? He was blind about 4 seconds earlier. Marsh restores his sight, but gets ejected? Seems unfair.” He sarcastically emphasised how the official failed to call out on the foul play that occurred just four seconds before Marsh publicly brought it to his notice.

While the league grapples to terms with such loopholes and unfair means, it is essential to note that neither the Chicago Sky nor the Connecticut Sun will progress to the playoffs. The teams, along with the Dallas Wings, faced elimination and are fulfilling their upset timetable per the league’s pre-decided schedule.