Connecticut Sun guard Saniya Rivers has now gotten back-to-back technical fouls. After her heated verbal exchange with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark before the All-Star break that led to a double technical foul, Rivers received her second tech in the team's return to action on Tuesday.
Midway through the second quarter of the Sun's game against the Washington Mystics, Rivers was assessed a tech after she flailed on a foul by Sonia Citron. The 23-year-old guard hit Michaela Onyenwere in the face while flailing, prompting the call, according to Jenn Hatfield of The IX Sports.
As a result, Rivers is now set to pay a $500 fine to the WNBA.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
According to the WNBA's rules, a player's first three technical fouls each carry a $500 fine. Meanwhile, the fourth through seventh techs are punishable by a $1,000 fine each. Players also receive a warning letter from the league when they reach their fifth tech.
Furthermore, the eighth technical foul carries a $1,500 fine and a one-game suspension. Every even-numbered technical foul thereafter (meaning the 10th, 12th, 14th techs and so on) also comes with a one-game suspension and a fine.
While Rivers has avoided getting technical fouls earlier in the season, she will definitely need to be more careful and avoid consistently getting in trouble if she wants to avoid a suspension and higher fines.
Rivers finished with 11 points, two assists, one steal and one block in the Sun's 92-84 loss to the Mystics. Connecticut has now lost three straight games, dropping to 7-21 on the season.
