The WNBA today will announce fines and suspensions resulting from Tuesday night’s ugly brawl at the end of the Los Angeles Sparks’ 84-81 win over the Detroit Shock at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Even before commissioner Donna Orender announces the penalties, there already has been one casualty. The Shock announced yesterday that veteran forward Cheryl Ford, who tried to stop the brawl, tore the ACL in her right knee and is done for the season.
The brawl started with 4.5 seconds left after Sparks rookie Candace Parker and Shock forward Plenette Pierson got tangled up and crashed to the court.
Pierson and Parker are sure to face disciplinary action, but the real issue the league must address is the actions of Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn. Mahorn and Sparks center Lisa Leslie both tried to play peacemaker but the result was Mahorn pushing Leslie to the floor.
“I was trying to protect the whole game, the integrity of the game,” Mahorn said.
Parker, Mahorn, Pierson, and L.A.’s DeLisha Milton-Jones were ejected.