Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve expressed her disappointment with the officiating during the 2024 WNBA Finals Game 5 against the New York Liberty. Reeve believed that the title was “stolen” from her team due to what she considered unfair calls by the referees, particularly a crucial foul call on Lynx center Alanna Smith in the closing moments of regulation.
Reeve’s frustration with the officiating was evident throughout her postgame comments, where she highlighted the significant discrepancy in free throw attempts between the two teams. The Liberty shot 25 free throws compared to the Lynx’s 8, which Reeve believed played a critical role in the outcome of the game.
Despite the loss, Reeve commended her team for their efforts throughout the season and emphasized the importance of playing within the rules. She referenced past instances of rule violations in the league, including New York’s fine for chartering flights and the Las Vegas Aces’ draft pick being rescinded for rule violations.
Reflecting on the close nature of the Finals series, Reeve acknowledged the Liberty’s resilience and congratulated them on their first championship victory in 28 years. However, she couldn’t help but express her disappointment at falling short of a fifth championship for the Lynx, drawing parallels to past instances where she felt officiating decisions had impacted the team’s performance.
Reeve’s criticism of the officiating sparked a conversation about the need for consistency and fairness in calls across both teams. She called for a more transparent review process involving a fourth party to ensure that critical decisions are made objectively and without bias.
In response to Reeve’s comments, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello defended the referees’ performance and praised her team’s perseverance throughout the series. Brondello acknowledged the competitive nature of the games and emphasized the importance of trusting the process and sticking together as a team.
Overall, the 2024 WNBA Finals provided fans with thrilling matchups and intense competition, culminating in a historic victory for the New York Liberty. While Cheryl Reeve and the Minnesota Lynx may have fallen short of their championship aspirations, their resilience and commitment to playing by the rules serve as a testament to the spirit of the game.
