No, Christie Sides probably didn't curse out a referee as lip-readers thought
Lip-readers thought they caught Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides screaming F-bombs at a referee in the Game 1 playoff loss to the Connecticut Fever.
But I’m here to inform you that you’re probably wrong.
A hat tip to our Prince Grimes, who noted in our work group chat that Sides was probably screaming “FATOU!” That would be the first name of referee Fatou Cissoko-Stephens, who was working the game on Sunday. Sides had gotten hit with a technical foul in that moment.
I know, the lip-reading sure made it look like she was saying something else, but this seems like the most plausible explanation here.
Here are the videos of the moment from that playoff game:
Christie Sides gets hit with a Tech for arguing an out-of-bounds call on Lexie Hull
Coach is stepping up finally#WNBA #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/p9DyZ1DmIF
— Ashwin (@Sudharsan_ak) September 22, 2024
Shoutout to Erica Wheeler for playing outstanding defense on Christie Sides and limiting her to one technical foul pic.twitter.com/3Kc5BxePCQ
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 22, 2024