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The WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship ended with the New York Liberty celebrating another title, but one of the loudest moments of the night had nothing to do with the action on the court.
As WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stepped onto the floor at Barclays Center to present the Commissioner's Cup trophy following New York's 93-85 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night, a chorus of boos rained down from the crowd.
The reaction came just hours after Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas publicly criticized the league following her recent suspension, making Engelbert an unexpected focal point during the postgame ceremony.
Cathy Engelbert greeted with boos at Barclays Center
Engelbert joined the Liberty on the court after the final buzzer to present the Commissioner's Cup trophy and recognize the team's second tournament championship after also winning the inaugural title in 2023. Before she could begin speaking, however, many fans inside Barclays Center voiced their displeasure, loudly booing the commissioner during the trophy presentation.
Videos of the moment quickly circulated across social media, with many fans noting the timing following several days of heated discussion surrounding the league's handling of recent disciplinary decisions. The Liberty ultimately defeated the Aces 93-85 to claim the 2026 Commissioner's Cup championship.
Alyssa Thomas criticized the WNBA before the game
The boos came after Thomas addressed reporters earlier Tuesday regarding the fallout from her one-game suspension. The Phoenix Mercury forward received a retroactive Flagrant 2 foul and an automatic suspension after making contact with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during last week's game. Following the league's decision, Thomas revealed that she and her family had received death threats.
Thomas also said she had not heard directly from Engelbert following the incident. Later Tuesday, the WNBA released a statement from Engelbert addressing the situation.
"The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate," Engelbert said. "The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league's top priority.
"We are aware of Alyssa Thomas' comments, and what she said her and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players."
Attention now turns to Mercury-Fever rematch
Thomas served her one-game suspension Tuesday and is eligible to return Thursday when the Mercury face the Seattle Storm. However, many fans already have their eyes on July 9, when Phoenix is scheduled to meet Clark and the Indiana Fever for the first time since last week's controversial matchup.
Given the attention surrounding the incident and the reaction it generated throughout the league, that game is expected to be one of the WNBA's most closely watched contests of the regular season. Meanwhile, Tuesday night's reaction at Barclays Center served as another reminder that Engelbert and the league remain under intense scrutiny as they navigate one of the most talked-about storylines of the WNBA season.
More WNBA news:
- Sophie Cunningham misses Fever practice with illness ahead of Las Vegas matchup
- Dave Portnoy rips Emmanuel Acho over viral Caitlin Clark comments as WNBA debate intensifies
- Sophie Cunningham's candid Mercury comments spark fierce backlash: 'Wildly unprofessional'
- Lexie Hull's pregame outfit is still getting attention days after Fever win
- Sophie Cunningham gets apology from Sparks player after viral on-court moment
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