The Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks faced off in their fourth and final regular-season matchup on Sunday. This game marked the first time they met since Dearica Hamby filed a lawsuit against her former team and the WNBA.
Following the game, Aces head coach Becky Hammon, who was at the center of some of the allegations in the lawsuit, addressed the situation. Hammon, just like last season after the initial league investigation in 2023 that resulted in her suspension for two games, maintained that her actions were always appropriate.
“The accusations of bullying simply did not happen,” Hammon stated. “I was in communication with her every day. If she wanted to practice, she practiced. If she didn’t, she didn’t. I provided her with exceptional care.”
She also emphasized her clean track record throughout her illustrious Hall of Fame career.
“Let me provide you with some facts. I have been in either the WNBA or the NBA for 25 years now. I have never received a single HR complaint. Dearica didn’t file any complaints either with the players union or the WNBA. It’s a fact that Atlanta initiated the trade talks in January, not us,” Hammon explained.
During the game, the Aces emerged victorious with a score of 87-71. Hamby was subjected to boos from Las Vegas fans, which could be heard on the broadcast.
In July 2022, Hamby discovered she was pregnant while playing for the Aces. Despite missing some games due to a knee injury, she made a significant impact off the bench during the franchise’s title-winning campaign. Hammon praised Hamby as her “biggest, baddest beast” during the 2022 WNBA Finals.
After announcing her pregnancy at the championship celebration, Hamby claimed her relationship with the Aces deteriorated. Following her trade to the Sparks in January 2023, Hamby took to social media to shed light on the abuse she allegedly endured from the Aces, prompting an investigation by the league.
When her suspension was announced in May 2023, Hammon expressed that she did not recall her relationship with Hamby in a negative light.
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