Ogunbowale tossed after kicking ball into stands

Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale, the Wings’ main scorer, was ejected at halftime of Sunday’s 84-79 loss to the Seattle Storm in Arlington, Texas, after kicking a ball that flew into the stands.

After a shot that was heaved simply after the halftime buzzer, the ball bounced off the backboard towards Ogunbowale, who kicked at it earlier than strolling off the courtroom. The ball flew behind the pinnacle of Storm ahead Breanna Stewart and into the gang.

Ogunbowale later posted on Twitter that she was attempting to play the carom like a soccer ball and hadn’t meant to kick it into the stands. She linked to a video of herself kicking a basketball whereas taking part in at Notre Dame.

“If you realize me you realize I used to be a soccer participant first,” she wrote. “Actually each apply and sport I cease the basketball with my ft, move it to my teammates with my ft and many others. Ball comes at me quick I all the time cease the ball with my ft it is simply my first intuition.

“I used to be in NO WAY attempting to kick the ball. The half was over I attempted to regulate the ball with my ft like I all the time do if the ball comes @ me quick. To be ejected for one thing like that is wild. From right here on out I am going to attempt to keep in mind WNBA refs aren’t followers of soccer gamers. #GoWings”

Nevertheless, Ogunbowale additionally kicked on the prolonged scorer’s desk on the finish of the Wings’ loss at Los Angeles on Might 31 after she missed a free throw after which was known as for a violation after pump-faking on the second. The free throws may have tied the sport.

Dallas coach Vickie Johnson referenced that when requested about Ogunbowale’s ejection Sunday.

“That incident occurred in L.A. as properly,” Johnson stated. “We’re not on the soccer area, we’re on the basketball courtroom and it’s important to respect the sport, interval. We play basketball with our fingers.”

The Wings dropped to 6-7 with the loss. Ogunbowale, who led Notre Dame to the 2018 NCAA title and was the No. 5 draft choose in 2019 by Dallas, is averaging 17.5 factors per sport this season. She was 1-of-7 for a season-low two factors within the first half Sunday earlier than the ejection.

As for potential crew self-discipline of Ogunbowale, Johnson stated she would wish to talk to Wings president and CEO Greg Bibb.

“Now we have talked about it, however that is one thing Greg and I’ve to debate a little bit bit extra,” Johnson stated. “When it impacts the crew, it impacts all of us.”