Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon voiced support for Sandy Brondello on Monday night following the WNBA handing down a one-game suspension without pay to the Toronto Tempo head coach.
The league cracked down on Brondello after a Friday night incident in which she referred to Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese as a “protected species.”
Becky Hammon Defends Sandy Brondello Amid Suspension Fallout
The incident happened late in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 111-92 loss to Atlanta on July 17. Reese drove hard to the basket and collided with the Tempo’s Nyara Sabally, and the collision sent the latter crashing to the hardwood.
The officiating crew whistled Sabally for a defensive foul, but there was an immediate eruption from Brondello on the sideline.
Courtside microphones captured the Aussie coach pleading her case to the referees, using the phrase “protected species” to argue that the Dream star receives preferential treatment.
The phrase drew backlash, and Reese fired back on social media after the final buzzer. The league office intervened and suspended Brondello for Monday’s matchup against Hammon and the Aces.
Brondello issued a public apology to Reese over the weekend to clarify her intent. The veteran coach took full responsibility for her language and insisted that her frustration was strictly directed at the officiating, not the player.
Ahead of the Tempo-Aces matchup, Hammon made it clear exactly where she stands on her former coach and long-time colleague. The 57-year-old previously coached Hammon during her playing days, and the two share a deep mutual respect.
“I just gave her a big hug when I saw her,” Hammon told reporters. “I know that’s not where her heart is. I know her as a very, very high-quality person. Someone that’s filled with a lot of love for everyone, and so I know she’s been probably pretty tore up and crushed about the whole situation.”
Becky Hammon on Sandy Brondello’s suspension: https://t.co/4OEtI0JXNj pic.twitter.com/GsHK1rLCH6
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“So she’ll bounce back; I know she’s resilient, it’s just unfortunate. I mean everything that’s kind of going around the league, I’d like to get back to sports uniting people,” Hammon added.
Associate head coach Olaf Lange stepped in to run the Toronto sideline in Brondello’s absence. Las Vegas took full advantage of the chaotic environment and dismantled the Tempo 109-83, with four-time MVP A’ja Wilson anchoring the blowout with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Isabelle Harrison poured in a career-high 26 points and secured 11 rebounds for Toronto. But her isolated brilliance proved insufficient as the Aces handed the Tempo their third consecutive defeat.
