The Atlanta Dream blew out the Toronto Tempo 111-92 during their game at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Ontario on Saturday. However, it wasn't all positive for the team, particularly for All-Star guard Allisha Gray.
Naz Hillmon and Angel Reese led the way for Atlanta in the victory, with the former recording 24 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field. Reese, for her part, tallied 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
Gray, meanwhile, dropped 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. She scored 10 of her total points in the second quarter, keeping the Dream toe-to-toe against the Tempo before they cruised to victory in the second half.
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Allisha Gray Facing WNBA Punishment
However, Gray also received a technical foul in the game, which puts her in line to pay a $500 fine to the WNBA.
With 1:21 remaining in the third quarter, Gray took a 3-pointer but missed. However, Tempo guard Kia Nurse appeared to make contact with her during the attempt and even came down in her landing space, which Gray believed should have warranted a foul call.
After hearing no whistle, Gray shared her frustration as she looked at the referee to complain. The official then assessed her a technical foul.
According to the WNBA rules, a player's first three technical fouls each carry a $500 fine. The fourth through seventh techs each carry a $1,000 fine, while anything beyond that will cost $1,500. The eighth technical foul, and every other tech after that, will also result in a one-game suspension.
It was Gray's second tech of the season. It was supposed to be her third, but her tech during the Dream's July 4 game against the Golden State Valkyries was rescinded, according to Across the Timeline.
Allisha Gray Explains Her Side
For what it's worth, Gray clarified on social media that she did not use any profanity when speaking to the referee.
In a post on Threads, the Dream guard revealed that she only said that Nurse hit her in the arm.
"ugh all I said was 'I got hit on the arm' no curse words or nothing," Gray wrote.
It will be interesting to see whether Gray appeals the call and whether the WNBA rescinds it. Whatever the case may be, the Dream veteran will have to be careful to avoid higher fines and a potential suspension.
