Los Angeles Sparks forward DeArica Hamby was ejected from a game against the Connecticut Sun after delivering an elbow to the face of opponent Raegan Beers. The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter as both players battled for a rebound.
Hamby's elbow resulted in a Flagrant 2 foul, which carries an automatic ejection and a $1,000 fine, according to WNBA rules. Beers fell to the court in pain following the play.
Following the game, Hamby stated that her action was in retaliation for Beers hitting her first. Video from the under-basket camera appeared to show Beers striking Hamby in the stomach with an open palm, after which Hamby was seen grabbing her midsection. Beers then delivered an elbow to Hamby's back shortly before Hamby's own elbow was thrown.
This marks Hamby's first flagrant foul of the season and her first ejection. The WNBA has a progressive penalty system for flagrant fouls. Accumulating two more Flagrant 1 fouls or one more Flagrant 2 foul would result in a one-game suspension. A combination of one Flagrant 1 and one Flagrant 2 foul would lead to a two-game suspension.
The league has recently seen other notable hard fouls. Earlier in August, Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington received backlash for a foul on Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham. Some commentators suggested Carrington's foul was an intentional act related to Cunningham's public statements regarding transgender athletes in women's sports.
In the game where Hamby was ejected, the Los Angeles Sparks went on to win against the Connecticut Sun with a score of 77-68, ending a six-game losing streak for the Sparks. At the time of her ejection, Hamby had recorded 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.