Lip-readers think Breanna Stewart hilariously asked refs for a Napheesa Collier tech after she threw a basketball

This story was updated to include Breanna Stewart’s response.

Breanna Stewart‘s WNBA Finals matchup with Napheesa Collier is must-see television.

The 2023 MVP and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year have been trading buckets, blocks and steals all over the court as their teams battle for a WNBA trophy. I’m totally here for it, and it’s probably a good preview for what we’ll see in January when Unrivaled, the league they co-own together, starts.

I’m also here for good old-fashioned court shenanigans. Some wonderful basketball fans and lovely lip-readers believe they caught Stewie hilariously saying, “Tech! Tech! Tech her!” to nearby refs after she and Phee got tangled up late during Game 2. Phee seemingly threw the basketball in frustration after a foul call, and Stewie immediately started chirping.

UPDATE: Postgame, Uconn Coach Geno Auriemma, one of the many stars in attendance for Game 2, said to Stewie, “You know you tried to get a ‘t’ on Phee” as he hugged her.

She smiled and jokingly said, “I was like, ‘Tech! Tech,'” before embracing one of her children and showing them off to Geno.