WNBA semifinals see Upsets, Controversy as aces and Lynx Face Elimination
September 29, 2025 – The WNBA semifinals delivered dramatic results Sunday, with the minnesota Lynx’s season ending in defeat and the Las Vegas Aces pushed to a decisive Game 5. Both outcomes were shadowed by concerns over officiating, continuing a trend throughout the postseason.
The Lynx’s season concluded after a heartbreaking loss, marking the second consecutive year the team fell short of championship contention. Last year, Minnesota lost to the New York Liberty in a controversial Game 5, a game coach Cheryl Reeve stated was “stolen from us.” This year, the Lynx played without MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier, sidelined by a left ankle injury sustained in Game 3, and faced the game without Reeve, who was suspended by the league. Despite building a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Lynx were unable to hold on, ultimately falling in game 4. Minnesota previously squandered a 20-point lead in Game 2, a game they ultimately won.
Meanwhile, the Aces failed to close out their series against the Indiana Fever, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5. Despite a dominant 31-point performance from MVP A’ja Wilson, supported by Jackie Young (18 points) and Chelsea Gray (12 points) who combined for 61 of the Aces’ 81 points, Las Vegas struggled with foul trouble. NaLyssa Smith was limited to eight points in 22 minutes, and Smith, Gray, and Young each finished with five fouls. Wilson described the foul situation as “very captivating.”
officiating again became a central point of contention following the Fever’s Game 4 victory. Aces head coach becky Hammon criticized the free throw disparity,stating,”a lot of grabbing and holding down (in the paint) that got called one way.” The Aces were awarded onyl 11 free throw attempts compared to the Fever’s 34, with Fever center Aliyah Boston drawing 13 free throws alone – more than the entire Aces team. The Aces committed 24 fouls, while the Fever were called for 17.
The Game 4 officiating crew – Isaac Barnett, Randy richardson, and Jenna Reneau – also worked the Phoenix Mercury’s Game 3 win over the Minnesota Lynx. Following that game, Lynx head coach cheryl Reeve publicly criticized the crew as “awful,” leading to her suspension for Game 4.
Hammon further commented, “They shot a lot of free throws. We didn’t. I appreciate it was a little tighter call, but tighter on both ends would’ve been nice.”