Australian basketball star Liz Cambage has denied a claim she called rival WNBA players "fat ass" as she helped the Las Vegas Aces book their place in the playoffs.
The accusation was made via Twitter by Chicago guard Allie Quigley after the Aces beat the Sky 100-85 on Monday night to improve to 18-9 on the season.
"It's a shame that someone who has struggled with mental illness continuously calls people a fat a$$ on the court. Not the first time. And people wonder how/where depression starts. Be better. Just play," three-times WNBA All-Star Quigley tweeted.
Cambage, who last week penned a powerful article about her day-to-day battle with anxiety and depression as she explained why she had missed several WNBA games this season, was quick to respond on social media and accused Quigley of lying.
"WHY TELL LIES?! I may talk shit but I never called anyone a fatass," she tweeted.
"and if I do ever say someone has a fatass it's because they got a nice booty, so I know I never said that tonight."
Cambage was at the centre of some contentious moments in Chicago but still managed to score 23 points and pull down 10 rebounds for the Aces.
She had running battles with Sky centre Stefanie Dolson and forward Cheyenne Parker and was hit with a technical foul in the second quarter after she celebrated scoring a basket by screaming in Dolson's face.
Parker received a technical in the third quarter when she berated Cambage after the two bumped into each other, in what appeared to be an accident.
Chicago coach James Wade said Cambage was "protected by the refs" and said the All-Star's behaviour during the game was "uncalled for".
"She's such a great player, she doesn't have to do that," he told the Chicago Sun Times.
"She's one of the most dominant players in the league. The game didn't have to go the way it went."
Australian Associated Press
