Cheryl Reeve Critiques Officiating in WNBA Finals

Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, expressed outrage over officiating during the WNBA Finals, particularly a controversial foul call against Alanna Smith that allowed Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty to tie the game, leading to overtime. Reeve claimed the title was 'stolen' from her team, citing a significant discrepancy in free throw attempts, with the Lynx awarded only six compared to the Liberty's 23. She called for a third-party review for officiating challenges, arguing that decisions made by referees should be more consistent. Fans and analysts echoed her sentiments, noting potential traveling by Stewart and questioning the legitimacy of the foul call. Despite the heated debate, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello defended the officiating as fair. The Lynx are now left with three runner-up finishes alongside four championships in their franchise history.