WNBA | Sparks, Shock melee leads to ejections for Rick Mahorn, 3 players

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Candace Parker wanted to focus on all of the positive aspects of the Los Angeles Sparks' victory over the Detroit Shock.

But it will be the final five seconds of the game that most people are going to remember.

Parker was one of three players ejected, along with Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn, after a scuffle with 4.6 seconds remaining in Los Angeles' 84-81 victory.

"To be honest, I don't recall exactly what happened," said Parker, who led Los Angeles with 21 points. "I'll have to watch the tape."

The skirmish started moments after Parker and Detroit's Cheryl Ford had to be separated after Ford fouled Parker.

On the next possession, Parker — a college standout at Tennessee who was the first player drafted this year — got tangled with Detroit's Plenette Pierson and fell to the floor. As Parker was getting up, Pierson ran into her, setting off the melee.

Parker threw a punch at Pierson before being tackled by Detroit's Deanna Nolan. Players and coaches from both teams were on the court, and former NBA player Mahorn knocked Sparks center Lisa Leslie to the floor at one point.

"I was trying to protect the whole game, the integrity of the game," Mahorn said. "The WNBA is very special to me because I have four daughters. I don't even raise my hand to them, and I would never push a woman."

Of Mahorn, Leslie said, "He pushed me down and I have no idea why he did that."

Mahorn also was involved in the 2004 Pistons-Indiana Pacers NBA brawl while working as a Detroit broadcaster, going into the crowd to try to pull Ron Artest of the Pacers away from fans.

"Rick Mahorn is known as a peacemaker, from even the brawl we had here with Indiana," said Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, another former NBA player. "He went out there to get people off the pile, and to get people to stop the confrontation. That's who he is; that's what he does."

Sparks coach Michael Cooper, also an ex-NBA player, said he felt Mahorn was trying to stop the fight.

"I think Rick was trying to play peacemaker, but he's just too big," Cooper said.

DeLisha Milton-Jones shoved and punched Mahorn after the incident with Leslie, and was ejected, along with Mahorn, Parker and Pierson.

Ford sprained her right knee while trying to restrain Pierson, and left the floor in a wheelchair. Her status is unknown.

Other games

At Comets 94, Mercury 92

Tina Thompson had 19 points and seven rebounds to help Houston (12-12) rally from a double-digit deficit in the second half and beat Phoenix (11-13) for the first time in seven meetings.

Diana Taurasi scored 31 points for the Mercury.

At Sky 68, Fever 60

Candice Dupree collected 20 points and nine rebounds to help Chicago (8-15) defeat Indiana (11-12).

Monarchs 79, at Dream 66

Scholanda Robinson scored a career-high 17 points as Sacramento (13-11) beat Atlanta (3-22) for its fifth consecutive victory.

Ivory Latta and Kasha Terry each scored 15 points for the Dream.