Watch: Kayla McBride sparks massive chaos by intentionally hitting Erica Wheeler with basketball in ugly exchange

Minnesota Lynx star Kayla McBride pushed Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler from behind late in the fourth quarter on Wednesday. McBride was furious Wheeler made a layup despite Seattle leading 91-84 with 5.8 seconds remaining. The Lynx guard also threw the ball at Wheeler, prompting Storm players to go after McBride.

Storm stars Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins confronted McBride, who repeatedly pointed at the scoreboard. The Minnesota star could be heard shouting, "That's bulls**t" as she walked away from the ugly exchange.

Expand Tweet

The play happened after Diggins grabbed a rebound following a missed 17-footer by Napheesa Collier with 22.1 seconds remaining. Seattle's star point guard whipped a pass to Wheeler at halfcourt to avoid an eight-second violation. Wheeler slowed down briefly before sprinting for a layup that McBride was furious with.

Multiple Lynx and Storm players had heated talks before the intensity went down. Kayla McBride stayed near center court to cool off. She eventually went to the bench after receiving a technical foul. Skylar Diggins made the free throw to cap Seattle's 94-84 win. The loss was the first for the Minnesota Lynx this season after an impressive 9-0 start.

Fans react to Kayla McBride instigating late game Lynx-Storm confrontation

Kayla McBride's hard push, which was followed by a ball-throwing incident, quickly caused a stir on social media. Fans promptly reacted to the controversial exchange that led to heated confrontations late in the fourth quarter between the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm.

One fan said:

Another fan added:

One more fan continued:

Another fan reacted:

The Lynx-Storm showdown was a Commissioner's Cup game, making point differential a necessity. Erica Wheeler, mindful of the rules in the said contest, wanted to pad the lead, although the outcome was settled. Kayla McBride took offense to the play and started the ugly exchange.

Many thought Wheeler played by the rules and did what was necessary for her team. Others were not as lenient, calling the play out of bounds regardless of the competition. The Lynx and the Storm will meet again in early August, making the next encounter even more highly anticipated.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

Know More

Edited by Michael Macasero