Mercury coach defends Satou Sabally treatment after scary WNBA Finals injury

A frightening scene took place midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals on Wednesday night. Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally accidentally collided head-on with the planted leg of Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell, leading to a concussion that will knock the All-Star Sabally out of Game 4 on Friday night.

The Mercury and their medical staff were pilloried on social media for their response to Sabally's injury, which had prompted speculation from observers -- including medical professionals -- that Sabally had suffered a potentially-serious spinal injury. This was due to the length of time Sabally spent on the court after the collision with Bell, and how Sabally did not appear able to walk off the court under her own power.

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Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts on Friday defended the medical team's approach to the Sabally injury. He explained there was "discussion" with the injured Sabally as she lay on the Mortgage Matchup Center court, and that the team's medical personnel would not have tried to move her if she had been in jeopardy -- although he confessed that he was unaware of the precise protocol.

"You never mess with concussion stuff," Tibbetts said. "We have a great medical team."

When Tibbetts went to visit Sabally in the arena's medical center on Wednesday, he described a player who was "in a ton of pain" and dealing with severe dizziness. But per Tibbetts, Sabally is resting comfortably at home, unlikely to attend Game 4 due to light and noise sensitivities associated with concussion.

The Mercury and the Aces will tip off Game 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The Aces are in position to close out the WNBA Finals -- and the 2025 season -- after taking Game 3 to go up 3-0 in the series.

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