In a dramatic turn of events during Saturday’s showdown between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun, Sparks forward Dearica Hamby found herself ejected from the game. The surprising dismissal came after she received a Flagrant 2 foul for hitting Sun rookie Raegan Beers in the face with an elbow.
The contentious incident unfolded with 8:39 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, amidst the Sparks’ eventual triumph, which ended with a 77-68 scoreline.
During the play, Hamby’s elbow made striking contact with Beers’ face. Officials paused the game to meticulously review the footage, ultimately deciding on a Flagrant 2—an infraction that necessitates an automatic expulsion from the court.
Examining the sequence more closely, it becomes evident that Beers had struck Hamby in the stomach moments before the retaliatory elbow was thrown.
The incident resonated beyond the court, with a spectator later tagging Hamby in a social media post on X. The fan urged, “Is this the example you’re leaving for your kid? Be a better example. I love you. Don’t react like that again, ok.”
Hamby replied, “If somebody intentionally punch my kid in her ribs/ stomach I hope she does more than that!!!!!!”
Neither Hamby nor Beers returned to the game, as the latter exited with a jaw injury following the foul.
Hamby finished the game with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes of play, as the Sparks recorded win No. 13 of the year.
Hamby shot 2-for-2 from the field and added a 6-for-8 performance on free throws prior to her ejection.
The Flagrant 2 also puts Hamby in line for a $1,000 fine under the WNBA’s flagrant foul system.
The Flagrant 2 is Hamby’s first of the season.
Hamby has enjoyed a quality individual season, averaging 14.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
A three-time WNBA All-Star, the 32-year-old forward finished ninth in WNBA MVP voting last season.
The Sparks led by as many as 22 points and entered the fourth quarter ahead 66-46.
The Sun outscored them 22-11 in the final period, while the Sparks went scoreless over the final 6:12.
The early advantage was enough for them to hold on for the nine-point victory.
Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 20 points, while Nneka Ogwumike finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.