After losing Caitlin Clark in the third quarter due to a back injury, the Indiana Fever lost a close one to the Phoenix Mercury, 111-109.
Making matters worse for Indiana, star center Aliyah Boston is set to receive a punishment from the WNBA following an incident during the game.
Boston, who finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal in the loss, accidentally elbowed Kahleah Copper in the face with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Fever star, while it appeared that she was just protecting the ball, the referees deemed the contact to be excessive.
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
That being said, Boston was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul. Copper proceeded to drain two free throws to give the Mercury a four-point lead.
As a result of the flagrant foul, the WNBA is now expected to fine Boston $500. The league rules state that each flagrant point carries a $500 fine. A Flagrant 1 accounts for one flagrant point, while a Flagrant 2 accounts for two flagrant points.
It is Boston's first flagrant foul of the season, but considering that the flagrant points limit is four, the Fever center certainly needs to be more careful.
If Boston reaches four flagrant points, she will get an automatic one-game suspension. Furthermore, if she gets a Flagrant 2 foul while having already accumulated three flagrant points, she will get suspended for two games.
Boston already has one technical foul this season, so she will need to be mindful of her situation if she wants to avoid a possible suspension.
