During a heated WNBA matchup on Friday night, tensions flared between Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins-Smith and Connecticut Sun veteran Bria Hartley following a physical sequence during a fast break.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter when Diggins-Smith drove hard to the basket on a fast break opportunity. Hartley, attempting to stop the play, committed a hard foul that sent Diggins-Smith to the floor. The contact was borderline excessive, and Diggins-Smith immediately got to her feet and confronted Hartley. Words were exchanged, and both players had to be separated by teammates and officials before the situation escalated further.
Officials reviewed the play and assessed Hartley with a flagrant 1 foul, while Diggins-Smith received a technical for her reaction. Neither player was ejected, but the moment clearly lit a spark for both squads. The Storm rallied behind Diggins-Smith’s intensity, going on a 9-2 run to close the quarter. The crowd responded with loud cheers, backing their star guard as she returned to the bench fired up.
After the game, Diggins-Smith downplayed the confrontation but emphasized the importance of standing her ground. “I’m always going to defend myself,” she said. “It’s a competitive game. Emotions run high, but we’re all pros.”
Hartley, who is known for her toughness, also brushed off the clash. “Just basketball,” she stated. “I was trying to make a play on the ball. No hard feelings.”
The two guards have a history of competitive battles dating back to their college days, and Friday night was just the latest chapter in that rivalry. While no punches were thrown, the altercation added intensity to an already fierce game one that could have playoff implications down the line.
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