PHOENIX – Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve vehemently criticized the officiating crew following her team’s Game 3 loss to the phoenix mercury on Friday, expressing outrage over a late-game play where star forward Napheesa Collier sustained an injury without a foul being called. Reeve’s frustration boiled over in a postgame press conference, culminating in a strong rebuke of the officiating throughout the WNBA playoffs.
The loss puts the Lynx on the brink of elimination in the best-of-five first-round series, trailing 2-1. Collier’s injury and the perceived lack of protective calls have ignited a league-wide conversation about physicality and player safety in the postseason.Minnesota faces a must-win Game 4 on Sunday.
Reeve was visibly upset that Collier did not attempt a free throw despite playing with apparent injuries. “We were trying to play through it, trying not to make excuses. But one of the best players in the league, she had zero free throws and she had five fouls,” Reeve said. “She had her shoulder pulled out and finished the game with her leg being taken out.”
Adding to her frustration, Reeve stated, “I can take an L with the best of them. I don’t think we should have to play through what we did.” Before abruptly ending the press conference, Reeve declared, “They’re f—ing awful.”
Reeve is not alone in her concerns. Las Vegas Aces coach Becky hammon recently commented on the excessive physicality in the playoffs, stating it would not be tolerated in other leagues. Reeve herself had previously voiced concerns before Game 3, noting the limited foul calls in the Lynx-Mercury series. Game 1 saw a combined total of only 10 free throws, the fewest in a playoff game in WNBA history.
“We’ve talked about how risky it can be,” Reeve said before Game 3. “And you’re hearing it from the other series.You’re hearing from other coaches. You’re hearing Becky talk about it. When you let the physicality happen, people get hurt.” Reeve clarified she wasn’t advocating for a “foul fest,” but for consistent calls on infringements that limit player movement.
