Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve did not mince words regarding the officiating in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, which ended with the New York Liberty capturing their first-ever title on Monday, October 21 (PH Time).
[ALSO READ: New York wins first WNBA title as Liberty outlast Lynx in thrilling Game 5]
“I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve Cries Foul.’ Bring it on, right. Bring it on because this sh*t was stolen from us. Bring it on,” the visibly-frustrated coach told reporters.
Cheryl Reeve:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 21, 2024
"I know all the headlines will be 'Reeve cries foul.' Bring it on. Right? Bring it on. Because this shit was stolen from us. Bring it on" pic.twitter.com/P5Ckhsv5H5
With Minnesota leading at 60-58, Alanna Smith was called for a shooting foul on Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart with 5.2 seconds left in the final frame.
That prompted Reeve and the Lynx to challenge the call, but the foul stood after officials ruled that Smith wasn't "in a legal guarding position."
With the Lynx up by two points and with five seconds left in the game, a foul was called on Alanna Smith
— WNBA Universe (@wnbauniverse) October 21, 2024
The Lynx challenged the call but it was unsuccessful. Breanna Stewart hit both free throws and we are going to OT!!#WNBA pic.twitter.com/DzFra6gIis
Stewart went on to nail a pair of free throws to send the game to overtime as New York eventually took the momentum and sealed the win.
“The officials during the game should have a third party because that was not a foul. That call should have been reversed on that challenge,” Reeve insisted.
The four-time WNBA champion coach reiterated: "At the other end when they challenged it, if we would have turned that clip in, they would have told us that this was marginal contact, no foul. Guaranteed. Guaranteed.
"So, when you review, there should be the same parameters that you're reviewing with. But the three people on the game need a fourth party to let them know. Because that decided the game."
Even Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James called out the controversial decision that went against the Lynx through social media.
“I’m sorry but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close battled tested game,” James posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
I’m sorry but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close battled tested game. 🤦🏾???
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 21, 2024
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard and former NBA player Isaiah Thomas also took a jab at the officiating in the winner-take-all duel.
“Refs called this game like they knew the assignment in the 2nd half, boy. Great game,” Lillard tweeted.
Refs called this game like they knew the assignment in the 2nd half boy. Great game .
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 21, 2024
“They lowkey cheated for NY but I get it,” Thomas claimed.
They lowkey cheated for NY but I get it lol.
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) October 21, 2024
Asked about her thoughts on guarding eventual Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, Reeve emphasized the downside of also limiting the production of Stewart and sharpshooting guard Sabrina Ionescu.
She also pointed out one glaring factor that turned the tides against the Lynx.
"The difference was in the foul line."
Game 5 also saw the Liberty attempted 25 total free throws compared to the Lynx’s seven and 21 fouls were called against Minnesota and 17 only on New York.
"It's a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this... I thought today was incredibly disappointing.“
— CourtSideHeat (@courtsideheat) October 21, 2024
Cheryl Reeve’s blames the officials for losing the WNBA Finals 👀 #WNBA #WNBAFinals #WelcomeToTheW
pic.twitter.com/ACdG7jZfCk
Reeve, who also led the US women’s basketball squad to gold in Olympic Games Paris 2024, called for consistency on the calls and voiced out that players should dictate the outcome of the game no matter what.
"Officiating, it's not that hard. When someone is being held, be consistent. If you don't want to call it a hold at one end, don't call it at the other. Be consistent.”
“This is for a championship, for both teams. Let them decide it. What contact is legal should be the same for both teams,” Reeve added.
In the end, she tipped her hats off to a New York team who finally hoisted the WNBA title for the first time.
“Congratulations to the Liberty on their first championship. It took them 28 years. Congrats to them. We were that close to our fifth. Just didn't happen."
[ALSO READ: Hoop Queens at last: Basketball world reacts to New York Liberty’s historic Finals win en route to first WNBA title]
