Phoenix Mercury guard Kelsey Plum made contact with Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko during the fourth quarter of their WNBA game on Wednesday night.
Plum was chasing a loose ball on a fast break near the sideline. She ran out of space and wrapped her arms around Smesko to stop her momentum and avoid falling. The moment drew laughs from those nearby. Smesko appeared slightly embarrassed at first.
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Phoenix Mercury 96-82 at Gateway Center. Rhyne Howard scored 23 points and added eight assists for the Dream. Allisha Gray scored 20 points. Angel Reese recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Plum scored 19 points in her first start for the Mercury. She recently joined the team after a trade from the Los Angeles Sparks. Alyssa Thomas added 17 points for Phoenix. DeWanna Bonner had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Smesko later described the interaction. He said Plum was going full speed. He added that he was trying to get out of the way and noted that he does not move like he used to.
The Dream improved to 19-11 with the win. They have won six of their last seven games. The Mercury fell to 12-20. Phoenix never led in the contest.
The game took place as both teams continued their regular season schedules. Plum has appeared in two games with the Mercury since the trade. The first was a win over the Chicago Sky earlier in the week.
Smesko and Plum’s brief interaction stood out amid the action on the court. The Dream controlled much of the game and converted multiple three pointers. Phoenix shot 29 percent from beyond the arc.
The Mercury travel to face Connecticut. The Dream head to Washington.
