Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words following her team’s 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, taking aim at the league, the officials, and even the fans.
“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 said following the game. “The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinal-playoff worthy, it’s f—ing malpractice.”
Reeve had been on the refs for most of the night already, but was sent into orbit after Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Lynx forward Napheesa Collier in the 4th quarter to seal the win. The steal, which had plenty of contact involved, left Collier in a heap on the floor, with Reeve telling reporters she likely fractured her ankle on the play.
Following the play, Reeve stormed onto the court and made contact with an official, resulting in her ejection from the game. She had to then be held back by her coaching staff and guard Natisha Hiedeman, before being escorted back to the locker room. The Lynx bench boss was later captured on camera yelling expletives at fans on her way off the court.
The narrative that the WNBA officials are letting too many calls go isn’t an opinion held only by Reeve. Following Game 2 of the Indiana vs. Las Vegas series, Aces coach Becky Hammon said that the level of physicality in the playoffs wouldn’t fly in other leagues. A statement which Reeve referenced prior to Game 3 on Friday.
“We’ve talked about how dangerous it can be,” Reeve said prior to tip off. “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.”
Now heading into a must-win Game 4 on Sunday, the league’s best regular season team will need to stave off elimination without their best player. While the club has yet to provide an official update on Collier’s status, Reeve is certainly painting the picture that the left ankle injury is a season ender for the 29 year old regardless of what happens over the next few games.
And based on her on court antics, and post game tirade, the Lynx could also be looking at playing that game without their head coach as well if the league opts to suspend Reeve.
If her ankle is indeed fractured, it also puts Collier’s status for the Unrivaled league in doubt as well. Game 4 tips off Sunday night at 8pm ET in Phoenix.
Photo: Lorie Shaull. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.