Full Breakdown
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s Shoe Toss Leads to Ejection in Liberty-Tempo Thriller
7/13/2026, 4:17:06 AM
The Incident
With 1:48 left in a July 12 WNBA game at Montreal’s Bell Centre, New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones lost a shoe during a fast-break. Guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton retrieved the shoe from the bench and tossed it toward Jones. The shoe struck Toronto Tempo star guard Marina Mabrey in the back. Referee Kevin Fahy assessed Laney-Hamilton a second technical foul, triggering an automatic ejection. Mabrey converted the ensuing technical free throw, extending the Tempo lead to 91-89. The Liberty tied the game at 91 after Breanna Stewart’s jumper, but Nyara Sabally’s layup with 52.5 seconds remaining secured a 93-91 victory for Toronto.
Background & Context
The Tempo entered the game having rallied from a 16-point third-quarter deficit and were seeking to snap a four-game losing streak. The franchise, still establishing a national fanbase, had set a WNBA regular-season attendance record the previous night with 20,996 spectators. The Liberty, under first-year head coach Chris DeMarco, were attempting to rebound from a six-loss stretch and had already trailed by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter.
Key Figures
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (NY Liberty guard/forward) – ejected after the shoe toss; earlier in the game received a Flagrant-1 for striking Mabrey’s face.
- Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo guard) – game-high 30 points; hit by the shoe and awarded a technical free throw.
- Jonquel Jones (NY Liberty center) – lost the shoe that became the projectile.
- Chris DeMarco (NY Liberty head coach) – publicly condemned the officiating.
- Sandy Brondello (Toronto Tempo head coach) – described the incident as unintentional.
- Kevin Fahy (official) – explained the ejection rationale.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Toronto Tempo 93, New York Liberty 91.
- Technical fouls: Laney-Hamilton (2), Mabrey (1), both teams received multiple technicals in the third quarter.
- Flagrant-1 foul: Laney-Hamilton (second quarter, face contact).
- Attendance: 12,724 spectators on Sunday.
Official Statements & Responses
League officials, via referee Kevin Fahy, stated that Laney-Hamilton “picked up a shoe and threw it at Marina Mabrey, and it hit Marina in the back, so she received her second technical foul and subsequently was ejected.” Liberty coach Chris DeMarco emphasized that Laney-Hamilton “was trying to get the shoe back to Jonquel Jones” and argued the call was “atrocious.” Toronto coach Sandy Brondello echoed the view that the contact was accidental and praised her team’s composure in the closing minutes.
Criticism & Opposition
DeMarco’s post-game press conference featured harsh language toward the officiating crew, labeling the decision “atrocious” and “pathetic.” He added that the referees “made such an atrocious call when they’re on the other side of the floor.” The Liberty’s frustration centered on what they perceived as inconsistent foul calling in the final two minutes, a sentiment shared by several analysts who noted the officials’ tendency to penalize New York more heavily late in the game.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No broadcast camera captured the full trajectory of the shoe, leaving some visual ambiguity about whether Laney-Hamilton aimed directly at Mabrey or mis-threw the shoe. Both Laney-Hamilton and Mabrey later suggested the throw was intended for Jones, but the lack of definitive video evidence prevents a conclusive determination of intent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would never intentionally try to hit someone with a shoe, especially while they're not looking. Teammate was without a shoe, so I did my best to try and get it to her. Unfortunately, it did hit someone,” — Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
- “But I think she was really just trying to get the shoe back to JJ. But I'll take the free throw.” — Marina Mabrey
- “It was just an atrocious, atrocious end of that game from the officials.” — Chris DeMarco
- “I thought our defense was pretty solid for the most part until we got a little tight and the refs decided to call every foul for New York near the end.” — Sandy Brondello
Why It Matters
The incident underscores the heightened scrutiny of officiating in close WNBA contests and highlights the Liberty’s ongoing challenges in maintaining discipline amid a turbulent season. It also illustrates how a single moment—an errant shoe—can swing momentum, affect player availability, and fuel broader debates about consistency in rule enforcement.
