In a heated post-game press conference, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve expressed her outrage over the officiating during the Lynx’s 84-76 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of their WNBA playoff semifinal series. Reeve did not hold back her criticism, calling it “malpractice” for the league to allow the officiating crew to work such a crucial playoff game.
Reeve's frustration peaked during the closing moments of the game when Alyssa Thomas of the Mercury stole the ball from Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and sealed the victory with a decisive layup. Collier, who was visibly in pain after her left leg collided with Thomas, suffered a hard fall that raised concerns about a potential ankle fracture. Despite the severity of the situation, no foul was called, leaving Reeve and her team in disbelief.
Collier was forced to leave the game, and Reeve later suggested that her injury might be serious, although the team did not provide an update on her status for the upcoming Game 4. “If this is what the league wants, OK, but I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating,” Reeve stated, emphasizing her disappointment with the officiating standards.
Following Thomas’s score, Reeve became incensed and charged onto the court to confront the officials, leading to her ejection after receiving her second technical foul of the game. Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman and two assistant coaches attempted to restrain her during the altercation, while associate head coach Eric Thibault also received a technical for his outburst towards the referees.
As Reeve was escorted off the court, she directed her anger towards fans at PHX Arena, underscoring the intensity of the moment. Despite the turmoil, Collier managed to contribute 17 points, shooting 8-of-15 from the field before her injury kept her from participating in the final moments of the game.
The match featured a competitive atmosphere with 15 lead changes, and neither team managed to pull ahead by more than eight points throughout the game. However, the Lynx struggled in the fourth quarter, scoring only nine points while the Mercury found their rhythm. Phoenix stars Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper combined for an impressive 65 of the Mercury's 84 points, dominating the final stretch by scoring all 21 of their points in the fourth quarter.
In her postgame remarks, Reeve expressed disbelief that Collier did not attempt a single free throw during the game, despite being one of the league's best players. “We were trying to play through it, trying not to make excuses. But one of the best players in the league had zero free throws and she had five fouls,” Reeve lamented, highlighting the inconsistencies in officiating.
She added, “I can take an L with the best of them. I don’t think we should have to play through what we did.” Her frustration resonated with fans and analysts alike, as she concluded by saying, “They’re f---ing awful,” before exiting the press conference without taking further questions.
Reeve’s comments are part of a growing chorus among WNBA coaches regarding officiating standards this postseason. Following Game 2 between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever, Aces coach Becky Hammon also criticized the physicality allowed in playoff games, suggesting that such leniency would not be tolerated in other leagues.
Before Game 3, Reeve had already voiced her concerns about the limited number of fouls being called in the Lynx-Mercury series, noting that Game 1 set a record for the fewest combined free throws in a playoff game. “When you let the physicality happen, people get hurt,” she warned, echoing sentiments shared by other coaches.
With their backs against the wall, the Lynx face a must-win situation in Game 4 on Sunday. As Reeve and her team prepare for this critical matchup, the focus will not only be on their performance but also on the officiating standards that have been a contentious topic throughout the playoffs.
