After Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner and Los Angeles Sparks rookie sensation Rickea Jackson got into an on-court scuffle Tuesday, Mercury forward Monique Billings immediately tried to avoid the dust-up. Her hysterical reaction has WNBA fans cracking up.
Griner and Jackson nearly came to blows mid-game after Jackson took exception to contact that Griner created with an elbow after a free throw by Celeste Taylor. After the two exchanged words about the physicality, tempers flared, and they had to be separated very quickly.
Players and coaches from both teams had to step in to stop any further escalation. Billings, who initially attempted to help, decided it was probably best she didn’t. (See the still shot below and the five-second mark of the clip, where you’ll see Billings — No. 25 — run in from the right side of the video and then step away.)
Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson were both ejected from Mercury-Sparks following this exchange. pic.twitter.com/09u2f1XfCU
— espnW (@espnW) September 18, 2024
JUST IN: Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson have both been ejected following this exchange. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/xWIOOY9vTv
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) September 18, 2024
Billings’ instant reaction to the melee had fans thinking of a similar response from a ref who chose the same during an LSU-South Carolina scuffle earlier this year. They also wholeheartedly related to not wanting to be in the middle of it.
Here’s what they said (Warning: NSFW language):
— SUMMER (@SummerDC_) September 18, 2024
@moniquebillings was like… 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/eJXO2vuf5c pic.twitter.com/jcaop4mS11
— Gary Williams (@gfunkera882) September 18, 2024
My thoughts exactly https://t.co/r0obqQGg7z pic.twitter.com/JktfJGnQJs
— Half-court Jester (@RDMancini) September 18, 2024
she said pic.twitter.com/lQlotfWaXl
— nothing less than hiiiPOWER 🗣️ (@takirahhhh) September 18, 2024
— Phoenix(Zondwa) 👑🏳️⚧ (@PhenomPapi) September 18, 2024
Mo Billings said https://t.co/pB957Vy76N pic.twitter.com/0C8moU0k3G
— Chey Sheisty (@CheysSheisty) September 18, 2024
y’all Mo Billings got up outta there like Angelica Suffren did w SC vs LSU😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂omg
— J.T💥 (@jalaciaaa) September 18, 2024
Monique Billings is meeee! Let me move my ass up out y’all way THANK YOUUUUU 💀💀💀💀 https://t.co/f3HXNS2uuA
— Tara aka Nikki J (@ItsReallyNikkiJ) September 18, 2024
(Feature image courtesy of CBS)
