WNBA Finals: Double Whammy for Liberty as Team, Players Fined for Conduct After Championship Defeat

2023 WNBA Finals - Game Four
(Photo : Sarah Stier/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Courtney Vandersloot (#22), Jonquel Jones (#35), Betnijah Laney (#44), Breanna Stewart (#30) and Sabrina Ionescu (#20) of the New York Liberty look on in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Aces during Game Four of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 18, 2023 in New York City.

Understandably, players might not be in the mood to talk after a devastating title game defeat.

However, for the WNBA, they are still obliged to address the press.

The league fined the New York Liberty following their absence in the post-game conference after losing the 2023 Finals to the Las Vegas Aces, 69-70, in Game 4.

The league has announced that Liberty is fined $25,000.

Read more: Buffaloes Coach Deion Sanders May Have Special NBA Guest Watching Against the Bruins

Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Betnijah Laney were also fined $2000 each for declining to meet the reporters.

New York head coach Sandy Brondello was gracious enough to address the reporters. She said she remains proud of her players despite how their season ended.

"It'll be a hard one to learn from, but in the end I'm proud of this group, of what we accomplished, and how we've come together as a totally new group and trying to build the chemistry and the togetherness and they committed to what we wanted to do," she said.

Basketball writers' group disappointed with Liberty

While many connect Liberty players' lack of interest in media appearances to their mood after a finals loss, the Professional Basketball Writers Association thinks it is part of an urgent issue in the league.

"We're concerned that this incident is part of a broader, growing disconnect between the WNBA, its players and the professional journalists who dedicate themselves to telling the stories of this league," the group said in a statement.

"We at the PBWA hope this moment can serve as the starting point for a renewed dialogue between our members, league officials, and the WNBPA."

Related article: Aces Star A'ja Wilson Fires Back at Haters Who Doubted Las Vegas in WNBA Finals

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