PHOENIX — Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve blasted the officers after Minnesota’s 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of their sequence Friday, saying it was “malpractice” to have them work a WNBA playoff semifinal sport.
Reeve was ejected within the closing seconds of the fourth quarter after Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier and sealed the win with a layup.
Collier was on the ground in ache after her left leg made contact with Thomas on the play, leading to Collier coming down onerous on the facet of her ankle. No foul was known as. Collier hobbled to the bench, and Reeve mentioned afterward that the ankle damage was “most likely a fracture,” although she didn’t elaborate.
The Lynx didn’t have an replace on Collier’s standing for Game 4.
“If that is what the league desires, OK, however I need to name for a change of management on the league degree on the subject of officiating,” Reeve mentioned after the Lynx fell behind 2-1 within the sequence. “The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the management to deem these three individuals semifinal-playoff worthy, it is f—ing malpractice.”
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After Thomas scored, Reeve needed to be restrained as she ran onto the courtroom to berate one of many officers. Because the ref walked away, Reeve adopted him and obtained her second technical of the sport, resulting in an ejection.
Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman and two assistant coaches tried to carry again Reeve. Affiliate head coach Eric Thibault additionally acquired a technical for yelling on the refs.
Reeve was finally escorted off the courtroom however not earlier than shouting at some followers at PHX Area.
Collier, who sat out the ultimate 21 seconds, completed with 17 factors on 8-of-15 capturing.
The sport featured 15 lead adjustments, and neither crew led by greater than eight factors. However the Lynx have been restricted to only 9 factors within the fourth quarter, and the Mercury took management.
Phoenix stars Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper mixed for 65 of the Mercury’s 84 factors. The trio scored the Mercury’s final 29 factors, together with all 21 within the fourth.
In her postgame remarks, Reeve was incredulous after Collier didn’t try a free throw Friday.
“We have been attempting to play by way of it, attempting to not make excuses. However top-of-the-line gamers within the league, she had zero free throws and he or she had 5 fouls,” Reeve mentioned. “She had her shoulder pulled out and completed the sport along with her leg being taken out.”
Reeve added: “I can take an L with the very best of them. I do not assume we should always should play by way of what we did.”
Then, earlier than strolling out of the information convention with out taking questions from reporters, Reeve mentioned, “They’re f—ing terrible.”
Reeve is the most recent coach to talk out in opposition to the officiating this postseason. After Game 2 between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever, Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned that the physicality in these playoffs wouldn’t be allowed in different leagues.
When Reeve was requested in regards to the officiating earlier than Game 3 in Phoenix, she mentioned the restricted variety of fouls being known as within the Lynx-Mercury sequence wasn’t a optimistic. In Game 1 of the sequence, the groups mixed for less than 10 free throws, the fewest in a playoff sport in league historical past.
Reeve mentioned she did not desire a “foul fest,” however mentioned something that restricted freedom of motion or was an apparent infringement wanted to be known as.
“We have talked about how harmful it may be,” Reeve mentioned earlier than Game 3. “And also you’re listening to it from the opposite sequence. You are listening to from different coaches. You are listening to Becky discuss it. Whenever you let the physicality occur, individuals get damage.”
The Lynx have someday earlier than their must-win Game 4 on Sunday.