Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts ejected in Game 4 of WNBA Finals for two technicals during a dispute over a foul call.

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on October 10, 2025, after receiving two technical fouls in quick succession during a heated argument with officials over a foul call. The incident occurred with 2:41 left in the third quarter, as Tibbetts contested a call on guard Monique Akoa Makani, confronting referee Gina Cross. Officials cited an expletive and repeated language as grounds for the double technical. Assistant coach Kristi Toliver took over, but the Mercury lost 97-86 to the Las Vegas Aces, completing a four-game sweep. Tibbetts expressed surprise and frustration, calling the ejection one of the weakest double technicals he’d seen, and said he received no explanation. The ejection intensified scrutiny over WNBA officiating, which had drawn criticism earlier in the postseason, including the suspension of Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve and player Napheesa Collier’s comments on inconsistency. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was booed during the trophy ceremony.