Cheryl Reeve was less than pleased with how the 2024 WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty was officiated.
The Liberty 's 67-62 overtime win over the Lynx to clinch their first WNBA championship was close throughout , with New York only getting the lead in the waning moments of the game. The clash saw lots of physical play take place on the court with both teams battling for each loose ball and fighting through each possession.
And while Reeve understood how physical the game was, she also did not agree with some of the calls that went against Minnesota. Speaking to reporters after the game, an incensed Reeve explained what she saw and how the game played out from her point of view regarding the fouling and physicality – especially the foul that was called on Alanna Smith in the final seconds of regulation.
"I saw a very physical and aggressive New York team," Reeve began . "We know this from being a part of the game for so long that sometimes, you get away with stuff when you're playing physical and aggressive, and they certainly did. It's a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this.
"Obviously, there's always going to be a team that's a little bit disappointed. I thought today was incredibly disappointing. We have got to change our Challenge rules and the officials doing the game should have a third party because that was not a foul. That call should have been reversed on that challenge.
"But on the other end, when we challenged it, if we would have turned that clip in, they would have told us that it was marginal contact, no foul. Guaranteed. Guaranteed. So when you review, those should be the same parameters that you're reviewing with.
"But the three people on the game need a third party to let them know because that decided the game. That decided the game." Reeve was aware that her scathing criticism of the officiating crew and the call to get a third party involved were likely to spark backlash – but it hardly stopped her from speaking her mind.
"All the headlines will read 'Reeve cries foul.' Bring it on," she said. "Bring it on. Because this s--- was stolen from us."
Supporting Reeve's case, in a way, the game saw a major free-throw discrepancy between the two teams. Minnesota had eight free throw attempts, with six of them being shot by Lynx star guard Kayla McBride. The other two were shot by Smith, who split a pair of free throws.
Meanwhile, New York had 25 free-throw attempts, with Breanna Stewart shooting the same amount as the Minnesota combined. Overall, the Liberty drained 21 total free throws, which certainly affected the final score of the game.
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In the end, though the Lynx missed out on winning their fifth championship, which would have been a record, Minnesota had its chances to win the game outright. It was only toward the end of the game that the Lynx were hampered by the Liberty's staunch defense and generous foul calls.
For now, the Lynx will have a long winter to think about the calls that went against them, especially with the championship within reach. New York celebrated its first championship , with Jonquel Jones winning WNBA Finals MVP after Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu 5-of-34 for 18 points.
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