Sports

Indiana Fever Under Fire For Failure To Defend Lexie Hull After Controversial Elbow

#Indiana Fever
by Last Updated
Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever

© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images


The Indiana Fever faced and lost to the Minnesota Lynx for the second time in three days during their latest WNBA matchup. A few players are under fire for their failure to have a teammates’ back during the setback.

Lexie Hull was on the receiving end of a vicious elbow from Kayla McBride. Her teammates stood in shock as she fell to the floor.

The controversial contact occurred in the fourth quarter of a 10-point game. Indiana was attempting to close the gap with just four minutes left to play.

Lexie Hull was taken off her feet by an elbow to the jaw.

Was it intentional? It’s hard to tell. It was, at the very least, unnecessary.

McBride’s reaction came as she battled for a rebound with Hull in the paint. Hull initially fouled her counterpart with an incidental swipe to the head.

In a moment of frustration, McBride swiftly responded by throwing a shoulder-high elbow in Hull’s direction.

The elbow connected with Hull’s jaw. It effectively removed her from her feet.

Viewers immediately questioned her intent. Some called for her removal from the contest.

McBride received a technical foul for her extracurriculars. She stayed in the game to score 13 points on 4-of-4 shooting.

Hull also remained in the lineup before exiting two minutes later.

Where were Hull’s teammates?

Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard were next to Lexie Hull when contact was made. They did not come to their teammates’ defense.

Instead, Boston looked on in shock with her hands covering her mouth. The reactions struck a nerve with many watching along.

“Lexie Hull‘s teammates do absolutely nothing as she is viciously elbowed,” one social media user wrote.

“Lexie Hull, I’m sorry but your Indiana Fever teammates are absolutely useless,” said another.

It’s a narrative that’s surrounded the team over the last two seasons. Many have called players out for their failure to protect Caitlin Clark amid physical play.

Fever players, meanwhile, have placed blame on WNBA officiating for a lack of control.

Sophie Cunningham’s season came to an end after what many believed to be a cheap shot from an opposing player. Clark has been sidelined with injury, too, as the lineup runs thin.

The debate continues to rage following the latest incident involving the team. Indiana can’t afford another significant setback. It will look to end its two-game losing skid on Tuesday vs. Seattle.