New York Liberty Claims First WNBA Championship

In a heated postgame press conference, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve criticized the officiating during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, claiming the championship was 'stolen' from her team. The pivotal moment occurred when Alanna Smith was called for a foul on Breanna Stewart with just 5.2 seconds left, allowing Stewart to tie the game with two free throws, ultimately leading to the Liberty's 67-62 overtime victory. Reeve pointed out a disparity in foul calls, with the Lynx penalized 21 times compared to 17 for the Liberty, and noted the Liberty's 25 free throw attempts versus just eight for her team. She expressed frustration over the challenge system, arguing that the call should have been overturned as it was 'marginal contact, no foul.' Reeve's comments echoed previous complaints about officiating inconsistency throughout the series, suggesting that teams should not have to 'overcome' such challenges in a championship game. Despite acknowledging other factors in the loss, Reeve's strong stance on the officiating has drawn attention and sparked debate among fans and players alike.