Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve blasted the officiating in Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals, saying the title was “stolen” from her team after a dramatic 87-82 overtime loss to the New York Liberty in the winner-take-all contest on Sunday.
“I saw a very physical and aggressive New York team,” Reeve said. “We know this from being a part of the game for so long that sometimes you get away with stuff when you’re physical and aggressive, and they certainly did. It’s a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this. Obviously there’s always gonna be a team that’s a little more disappointed than the other. I thought today was incredibly disappointing.”
Reeve was most upset about the controversial call at the end of regulation, where the refs said that Alanna Smith fouled Breanna Stewart (after Stewart appeared to travel). The Lynx challenged, but the call was upheld. Stewart went to the line to make two free throws and tie the game at 60-60 with 5.2 seconds left, which forced overtime.
“The challenge,” Reeve said. “We have got to change our challenge rules. The officials during the game should have a third party because that was not a foul. That call should have been reversed on that…
