Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts Steps Down Amid $10K WNBA Fine..
In a stunning turn of events for the Phoenix Mercury, head coach Nate Tibbetts announced his resignation on October 14, 2025, just days after receiving a $10,000 fine from the WNBA for his explosive ejection during Game 4 of the Finals. The league slapped Tibbetts with the penalty for using “profane and unacceptable language” toward officials, as detailed in a post-game report. This marked the culmination of a fiery season that saw the Mercury battle valiantly but fall 97-86 to the Las Vegas Aces, ending their championship dreams.
Tibbets, hired in October 2023 as the league’s highest-paid coach—reportedly topping $1.2 million annually—brought NBA pedigree from stints with the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, and Magic. His tenure transformed a last-place 2023 squad into a playoff contender, clinching a top-four seed in 2025 with stars like Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi leading the charge. The Mercury upset the Liberty and Lynx en route to the Finals, showcasing Tibbetts’ tactical acumen despite his lack of prior women’s basketball experience.
Yet, the Finals ejection proved the breaking point. In the third quarter, Tibbetts earned two quick technicals for aggressively confronting referee Lamont Simpson over a foul call on Monique Akoa-Makani. “I said things I shouldn’t have,” Tibbetts admitted post-game, dropping NSFW remarks in frustration. The outburst sparked a Mercury rally from a 20-point deficit but couldn’t salvage the series. Four technicals plagued Phoenix that night, highlighting simmering tensions.
Sources close to the team say the fine, combined with internal scrutiny over Tibbetts’ sideline intensity, accelerated his exit. “Nate poured everything into this group, but the pressure cooker boiled over,” one insider noted. Mercury GM Nick U’Ren praised Tibbetts’ growth, crediting him with fostering a resilient culture under new owner Mat Ishbia’s $100 million facility investment. Assistant coach Nikki Blue, a former interim head, is expected to step in.
As Phoenix eyes a 2026 rebound, Tibbetts’ departure leaves a void. His passion ignited progress, but in the high-stakes WNBA, decorum demands sacrifice. Fans lament the what-ifs, but the league’s evolution marches on—fiercer, fairer, unforgiving.
