Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve blasted the referees for a late foul call in favor of the New York Liberty, which changed the outlook of the decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.
With five seconds left in the contest and the Lynx up 60-58, forward Alanna Smith was called for a shooting foul on the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart. Reeve signaled for a coaches challenge, but the decision on the floor was upheld as crew chief Roy Gulbeyan said on the broadcast that Smith was “not in a legal guarding position.”
Stewart made both free throws, sending the contest to overtime. The Liberty went on to beat the Lynx 67-62 to clinch the championship.
“It’s a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this,” Reeve said postgame, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. “I thought today was incredibly disappointing. The challenge, we have got to change our challenge rules. That was not a foul.”
Reeve added, “I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul.’ Bring it on. Bring it on. Because the shit was stolen from us.”
The Lynx were called for 21 fouls to the Liberty’s 17. New York shot 25 free throws, while Minnesota had eight attempts.
“Sometimes you get away with stuff when you’re physical and aggressive, and (New York) certainly did,” Reeve said, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
The play drew the attention of fans and basketball players alike, including Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Foul calls were a subject of controversy during the Finals, as Liberty bench boss Sandy Brondello also complained about the officiating after Game 4.
