Should a Fundamentals Lapse Warrant a Fine?

The New York Liberty were fined by the WNBA this week after players failed to execute proper box-out technique during a May 8 game against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The incident, captured on video, drew sharp criticism from league officials.

The fine stems from a growing league emphasis on fundamentals, even in routine plays. Officials cited a lack of competitive effortin rebounding situations, pointing to multiple possessions where Liberty players neglected to position themselves between opponents and the basket after missed shots. The team disputes the ## What Exactly Did the Liberty Do Wrong?

Boxing out is a basic defensive rebounding technique meant to block opponents from grabbing offensive boards. During the first half, referees noted at least six instances where Liberty players failed to make contact or establish position after Sun misses. One sequence showed star forward Breanna Stewart (No. 30) stepping away from her assignment, allowing a second-chance point.

The WNBA rulebook doesn’t typically penalize lack of effort with fines, making this rare. A league source confirmed the fine was issued under a lesser-known clause about unsportsmanlike conduct through demonstrable disengagement. The amount remains undisclosed.

Stewart responded after the game: We’re competing hard. You can’t fine effort based on someone’s interpretation of boxing out. That sets a weird precedent. Head coach Sandy Brondello added, It’s basketball. We teach it, they do it. But not every single time is going to be textbook.

The move has ignited debate across the league. While fundamentals are essential, many question whether a fine is the right tool for enforcement. You coach it, you demand it, but you don’t fine players for a mental lapse, said a veteran assistant coach not authorized to speak publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 2024 draft class—featuring high-profile rookies like Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Angel Reese—has brought unprecedented attention to the WNBA. With rising viewership and cultural visibility, the league may be tightening standards. But some argue this decision blurs the line between discipline and micromanagement.

Fines for conduct are common, but this case is unusual because it targets a technical aspect of play rather than behavior like arguing calls or physical fouls. No other team has been penalized this way in recent memory.

Why did the WNBA fine the Liberty for not boxing out? The league cited a rule on unsportsmanlike conduct due to demonstrable disengagement. Officials claimed repeated failure to box out showed a lack of competitive effort, though the move is not typically fined.

Has any other team been fined for poor fundamentals before? No recent precedent exists for fining a team solely for not boxing out. Fines usually follow verbal abuse, technical fouls, or physical altercations, not tactical lapses.

Will the Liberty appeal the fine? Team officials have not confirmed an appeal, but sources say the organization is reviewing the decision and may challenge it through league channels.