Cheryl Reeve Blasts Officiating After Lynx’s Game 5 WNBA Finals Loss to Liberty
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After a heart-wrenching Game 5 loss in the WNBA Finals to the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t hold back her frustration, accusing the officials of costing her team a fair shot at the championship. In a fiery postgame press conference, Reeve vented her anger, claiming that questionable officiating had a decisive impact on the outcome.
“All the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul,’” she said, setting the tone for her blistering rant. “Bring it on. Because this s–t was stolen from us.”
Reeve’s Lynx team missed 44 of their 70 shots, but the coach’s grievances were focused on the officiating, not her team’s performance. She started the press conference by criticizing the Liberty’s physical style of play, which she felt the referees allowed to go unchecked.
Cheryl Reeve:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 21, 2024
"I know all the headlines will be 'Reeve cries foul.' Bring it on. Right? Bring it on. Because this shit was stolen from us. Bring it on" pic.twitter.com/P5Ckhsv5H5
“Sometimes you get away with stuff when you’re physical and aggressive, and they certainly did,” Reeve remarked. “It’s a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this.”
Her frustration grew as she elaborated on specific instances where she believed the officiating was inconsistent. Cheryl Reeve pointed to star player Napheesa Collier, claiming the referees missed crucial fouls that should have sent her to the free-throw line.
“I don’t get it. I don’t get how she can be held and go to the basket and get hit, and then a marginal [foul] at best, at best, sends their best player [Breanna Stewart] to the free-throw line,” she fumed.
The Lynx were called for 21 fouls in the game, with Collier fouling out in overtime, compared to 17 fouls for the Liberty. This discrepancy fueled Reeve’s complaints about the officiating, which she believes unfairly influenced the game’s outcome.
In a sarcastic parting shot, Reeve congratulated the Liberty on their long-awaited championship, a title 28 years in the making. “Congratulations to the Liberty on their first championship. It took them 28 years, congrats to them. We were that close to our fifth,” she said, highlighting the bitter disappointment of falling just short of another title.
Cheryl Reeve is livid with the officiating at the podium, and urges for there to be a third-party that looks at challenges:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) October 21, 2024
“If we would have turned that clip in, they would have told us that it was marginal contact, no foul. Guaranteed. Guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/z4SWgUuOcj
Cheryl Reeve didn’t s top at criticizing the officiating. She also took aim at broader issues within the league, referencing the New York Liberty’s past sanctions for using impermissible charter flights and ongoing investigations into potential salary-cap violations by the Las Vegas Aces.
“Built a team within the rules,” Reeve said about her Lynx. “Those sort of things that maybe right now aren’t happening in our league. And did it the hard way. We gave hope to those teams that aren’t willing to circumvent the cap or, you know, fly illegally, or all the stuff that’s happened over the last five years, right? And so, I mean, do it the right way.”
Reeve’s comments echoed her dissatisfaction not just with the outcome of the game but with what she perceives as larger issues of fairness and integrity in the WNBA.
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, on the other hand, declined to engage in the officiating debate. When asked about Reeve’s comments, Brondello kept her response short and respectful: “I thought they were pretty fair,” she said of the referees. “But look, I have so much respect for Cheryl and I have so much respect for that Minnesota Lynx team because, man, that was ugly, but we found a way to win.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the officiating and Reeve’s sharp criticisms, the Liberty emerged victorious, securing their first WNBA championship in franchise history. However, Reeve’s pointed remarks ensure that the debate over the fairness of the game will linger well beyond the final buzzer.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
