Betnijah Laney-Hamilton of the New York Liberty was ejected from a game after throwing a shoe that hit Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey.
The incident occurred during a closely contested matchup on July 12, 2026 [1], and highlights the volatility of high-stakes professional basketball. The ejection removed a key player from the Liberty roster during the final stages of the game.
The event took place in Montreal, Canada [2]. According to reports, the shoe had previously fallen off teammate Jonquel Jones [3]. Laney-Hamilton retrieved the sneaker and threw it, striking Mabrey in the process [3]. Game officials ejected Laney-Hamilton following the incident [3].
The New York Liberty lost the game to the Toronto Tempo with a final score of 93-91 [4]. The loss was compounded by the loss of one of their primary scorers due to the unusual disciplinary action.
Reaction to the ejection was swift and critical from those associated with the Liberty. The team's head coach said the officiating was "pathetic" [5]. Similarly, Chris DeMarco of Fox News (Outkick Sports) said the decision was an "atrocious" call [6].
Despite the controversy surrounding the ejection, the game remained a tight contest until the final whistle. The Toronto Tempo managed to secure the two-point victory in the Montreal arena [2].
“Laney-Hamilton retrieved the sneaker and threw it, striking Mabrey in the process.”
This incident underscores the tension inherent in the WNBA's growing competitive landscape. The ejection of a star player for a non-traditional foul—throwing equipment—creates a precedent for how officials handle erratic behavior on the court and may lead to further scrutiny of officiating consistency across the league.
