New York Liberty mad about getting fined for missing box outs

May 8, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) reacts during the first half against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The WNBA is having a cultural moment. The arrival of the 2024 draft class, which included names such as Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Angel Reese, has coincided with record attendance numbers and television and streaming viewership.

The league has been forced to adjust on the fly to a bevy of new changes, such as expansion franchises, a new labor deal, and new officiating standards. There has also been an increase in fan scrutiny. However, for one team, it might be impossible for anyone outside the building to be more critical than the head coach inside of it.

New York Liberty star and former MVP Breanna Stewart revealed on her podcast, Game Recognize Game, that Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco, who is in his first season with the organization after coming over from the Warriors, has been fining the players for a bevy of reasons.

Either box out or pay up

Stewart reveals that the Liberty players are even getting fined for missed free-throw box outs.

“We’re a little bit mad about it,” Stewart said. “Because it’s like what if the ball goes out of bounds… a bad bounce.”

For what it’s worth, Stewart did say that the fines were only $25, but it’s still pretty insane to hear how tight a ship DeMarco is running. The Liberty are among the title favorites this season, so perhaps there’s a method to the madness.

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