If anything, this season will be remembered for how far physical plays can go in the WNBA. Having learnt it firsthand herself, Becky Hammon even issued a strong warning to the Indiana Fever before the semifinals.
But things are going a little too far from where they could be. The Fever outlasted the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1. However, not one to back down, they stunned Indiana with an even stronger comeback with 90-68 in Game 2. But it was the physicality that stuck in Becky’s mind.
Becky Hammon Blasts WNBA For Growing Physical Play
Recently, the Aces coach called out the league’s escalating physicality, saying it had spiraled “out of control” and wouldn’t fly in the NBA without sparking fights. Her comments came amid a series where fouls jumped from 27 in Game 1 to 41 in Game 2, drawing frustration from both benches.
Hammon’s bold take sparked debate, with Fever coach Stephanie White firing back that the whistles killed her team’s flow. As the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday, the physical tone, fueled by elbows, grabs, and hard fouls, could define who advances, but Hammon is buying none of it.
“Most of my assistants come from the NBA, and they’re like, this would not fly in the NBA. This level of physicality would not fly in the NBA. There would be fights. There would be fights. We just have very well-mannered women that can get to the next play, but there would be fights,” Hammon said.
"The way she can just get her hands on balls…. That's a woman with a wife."
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) September 24, 2025
A'ja Wilson on Chelsea Gray's physicality got Becky Hammon giggling 😂pic.twitter.com/Zgjw3fcDgM
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Despite this, the Aces’ win evened the series at 1-1. Additionally, White also countered Hammon’s view, blaming whistles for disrupting the flow. As the series heats up, the physicality debate could sway calls.
Becky Hammon Opened Up After Aces Game 1 Loss
Earlier, after the Game 1 flop, Becky Hammon didn’t sugarcoat the Aces’ upset loss to Indiana on September 21, which snapped their 18-game streak and left fans stunned. Hammon even blasted the Aces for their worst offensive night after a blowout loss to the Fever.
“Fever won all three categories and they played with a greater sense of urgency. Clearly, we had no answer for [Kelsey] Mitchell—couldn’t even attempt to slow her down a little bit. I thought it was poor, really poor… she had a hot night and we let her get going,” she said.
The loss exposed cracks as Vegas started slow, trailing by 14 after three, as Indiana’s paint dominance (50 points) and 50% shooting overwhelmed.