Photo Credit: Getty Images
Washington Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson took responsibility for his actions after being ejected and escorted off the court by police during his team's game against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, June 6.
The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Mystics' matchup with Atlanta. According to Reuters, Johnson became involved in a heated exchange with game officials following a foul committed by Washington player Alicia Florez Getino against Angel Reese.
At the time, the Dream held a comfortable lead over the Mystics. Atlanta went on to secure a dominant 109-77 victory.
As tensions rose, Johnson continued arguing with referees and was assessed two technical fouls, resulting in his ejection. Reuters reported that police officers then escorted the 52-year-old coach from the court. Assistant coach Emre Vatansever and Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen attempted to calm the situation as it unfolded.
According to ESPN, Johnson exited the court without further incident while accompanied by officers.
Vatansever assumed head coaching duties for the remainder of the game.
Following the loss, Johnson addressed reporters and acknowledged that he allowed his emotions to get the better of him.
"I lost my cool," he said, according to Reuters. "There's nothing more than that. Officials did what was appropriate, and that's all I can say."
Despite the controversy surrounding his ejection, Johnson was careful to shift attention back to the Dream's performance and his team's development.
"I don't want to take away from Atlanta playing really hard and from us having a learning moment for our team," he said.
The veteran coach also admitted that the incident reflected poorly on both himself and the organization.
"My ejection is not a great moment for our team or me," Johnson said. However, he emphasized the positive qualities he continues to see within the Mystics group, highlighting "the togetherness, the toughness, the joy we have."
He added that such an outburst is not something he expects to become a pattern moving forward.
"My ejection is not a great thing. That's certainly not going to be a consistent thing," Johnson said.
Iriafen also defended her coach after the game, noting that his reaction stemmed from his desire to stand up for his players.
"Coach always has our back. He's going to do whatever to protect us," she told ESPN. "I was just trying my best to kind of diffuse it."
Before joining the Mystics, Johnson served as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky. He also played college basketball at Princeton University from 1993 to 1997.
