During the Minnesota Lynx’s Game 3 matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, head coach Cheryl Reeve found herself at the center of another controversy involving officiating. The incident unfolded in the final minutes of the game, when Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas made a play across Napheesa Collier’s body, resulting in the Lynx star being taken out of the game. Reeve, known for her passion and tenacity, was quick to express her frustration, leading to a confrontation with an official and her eventual ejection. The situation escalated as she was seen in heated exchange with the referee, with her assistants having to hold her back from further confrontation.
In the aftermath, Reeve took to the press conference to vent her frustrations, criticizing the current officiating standards in the WNBA. Her comments were particularly pointed, with her accusing the league of malpractice in its handling of the game. ‘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,’ she stated. The incident has brought to light the long-standing issues with officiating in the league, with many players and coaches having previously voiced similar concerns throughout the season.
Collier’s injury, which occurred during the game, has also raised alarm bells. The Lynx’s star player was seen in pain and was taken out of the game, with Reeve expressing concerns about the nature of the injury. She hinted at the possibility of a leg fracture and was upset that Collier did not receive any free throws during the game, despite the circumstances. The situation has further intensified calls for a reevaluation of the physicality in the playoffs, as other coaches like Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces have also been vocal about the issue, indicating that the problem might be widespread within the league.