Satou Sabally only has a theoretical chance of winning the WNBA title with the Phoenix Mercury after their third defeat in the final series.
Because the 27-year-old basketball player was hit hard in the head in the final quarter, her appearance in the upcoming fourth duel of the finals with the Las Vegas Aces immediately after the 88:90 score in Phoenix was also questionable. In the best-of-seven series, Las Vegas only needs one win to win its third title in four years. Phoenix would now have to win four times in a row.
Sabally cannot continue playing after the collision
4:26 minutes before the end of the game, Sabally crashed her head hard into her opponent’s leg while falling and was then treated on the field for minutes. The caregivers had to abandon their first attempt to help her get up. According to broadcaster ESPN, Sabally was examined for a concussion and did not return to the game.
“She wasn’t in the cabin just now and I haven’t heard anything yet”said Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts at the press conference. Sabally had a strong game up to that point with 24 points. The Mercury were still ten points behind at the time of the collision – but then came back and almost forced overtime.
Catching up is not enough
Aces star A’ja Wilson then took the lead and Phoeni took the lead againx couldn’t put the last shot in the basket with 0.3 seconds on the clock. “There are no moral victories here. We were 17 points behind and a key player was out. But I’m proud of our group for not giving up”said Tibbetts.