Sandy Brondello blasts refs after Liberty loss – ‘Just be truthful’

MINNEAPOLIS — New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello blasted the officiating and foul name disparity following her crew’s 82-80 Recreation 4 loss Friday to the Minnesota Lynx.

“If [we] are getting hit, it is a bloody foul,” she stated.

Brondello’s critiques got here after Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve spoke out following Recreation 3 on her points with the officiating. With the Lynx’s victory Friday, the sequence is headed again to Brooklyn for a winner-take-all Recreation 5.

“I do know Cheryl talked about it final time, however we acquired no calls as we speak,” Brondello stated. “So do I would like to speak up in a press convention? As a result of they had been getting ticky-tacks. And we went down there and acquired hit and get nothing.

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“It was 14-9 [Liberty fouls to Lynx fouls]. No. All we wish is truthful, OK. So if we’re getting hit, that is a foul. You understand, I am one of many nicest bloody coaches on this league, however this pisses me off. Just be truthful.”

The Lynx finally had 20 journeys to the free throw line in comparison with the Liberty’s 9 and primarily received the sport off Bridget Carleton’s 2-for-2 stint on the charity stripe with 2.0 seconds to play following a foul from Sabrina Ionescu.

On the sequence, Minnesota has been known as for 58 fouls whereas New York has been whistled for 56, in keeping with ESPN Analysis. There was additionally a five-foul distinction in Recreation 3, with Minnesota getting known as for 18 and New York for 13.

That is the second WNBA playoff sequence ever to characteristic three video games determined by three factors or fewer.

“In the long run, shut recreation. Issues we may have accomplished higher. All of us may have accomplished higher,” Brondello stated. “Together with me, getting that f—ing timeout — excuse me, do not repeat it,” referencing a timeout she stated she tried to name with 30 seconds remaining within the recreation that she stated the referees didn’t hear.

After Recreation 3, Reeve took difficulty with what she thought of totally different officiating for New York’s Breanna Stewart in comparison with her star, Napheesa Collier. That day, Stewart shot 10 free throws whereas Collier shot 4.

“The sport is known as otherwise for Phee than it’s for Stewie for positive,” Reeve stated. “You have a look at the identical stage of exercise, and around-the-rim contact. For no matter cause, now we have a tough time attending to the foul line on this sequence.”

Requested to answer Brondello’s feedback Friday, Reeve stated, “I did not get a response from the league [after Wednesday]. I’ve a textual content to show it. I feel Phee has some issues to show that the fouls weren’t known as. That is unlucky. I suppose I do not actually have rather more than that.”

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