Fever Forces Game 5; Officiating Scrutiny Grows

The Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 90-83 in Game 4 to force a winner-take-all Game 5 in Las Vegas; Kelsey Mitchell scored 25 and Aliyah Boston had 24 points (17 in the second half), and a lopsided free-throw disparity (Fever 34, Aces 11) helped decide the game. Sophie Cunningham — usually a critic of officials — praised the referees on X after the contest, but officiating remains a postseason flashpoint with mixed reactions to the whistle. The WNBA is facing growing scrutiny over inconsistent and overly physical officiating, and critics note the league does not publish Last Two Minute reports. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was suspended after a public tirade following Napheesa Collier’s injury, and Collier’s absence accompanied the Phoenix Mercury’s win over the Lynx to reach the WNBA Finals. The league has defended its referee pipeline and training, while the NBA announced a 2025-26 emphasis tightening enforcement on “high five” closeouts — a change that could increase three-point foul calls and has added to broader debate about officiating standards.