Reeve’s Explosive Ejection Sparks Controversy as Lynx Are On The Brink Of Elimination
In a fiery conclusion to a high-stakes WNBA playoff game, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected after a dramatic on-court confrontation with officials. The incident unfolded in the final minute of the Lynx’s 84-76 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury can win the series on Sunday in Phoenix.
Reeve Reacts To a No-Call That Injures Lynx Star Player
Reeve’s frustration boiled over following a no-call on a play where her star player, Napheesa Collier, was injured. The flashpoint occurred when Collier and Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas collided during a scramble for a loose ball. As Collier went down with what appeared to be a serious leg injury, Reeve stormed onto the court, unleashing a verbal tirade at the referees. Despite efforts by players and staff to restrain her, Reeve was assessed a second technical foul, leading to her automatic ejection from the pivotal Game 3.
Following the game, the coach bypassed the typical question-and-answer session, instead delivering a blistering two-minute statement that took direct aim at the officiating. “When you let the physicality happen, people get hurt, there’s fights, and this is the look that our league wants,” Reeve declared, her voice filled with indignation. She pointedly highlighted the disparity in how her star player was treated throughout the contest.
Reeve’s sharpest criticisms were reserved for what she perceived as a dangerous lack of control by the officiating crew. “One of the best players in the league shot zero free throws and had five fouls,” she said, referencing Collier. She then called for systemic changes, stating it was “f—ing malpractice” for the league to deem that crew worthy of a playoff game.
All Eyes Will Be On Refs In Crucial Game 4
The coach’s passionate defense of her players and condemnation of the officials underscore a long-simmering issue in the WNBA. For years, coaches and players have voiced complaints about inconsistent officiating and unchecked physicality, concerns that have grown louder as the league’s viewership has expanded. Her outburst was not just about one game; it was the culmination of frustration from a coach who feels the league is failing to protect its biggest stars.
Now, with the Lynx trailing 2-1 in the series and the status of Collier uncertain, the focus shifts to a do-or-die Game 4. The fiery press conference has undoubtedly put the league’s officiating under an intense microscope, but whether it galvanizes her top-seeded team or serves as a final, desperate act of a season on the brink remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Reeve made her point, and the entire league heard it.
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve speaks on tonight’s officiating against the Phoenix Mercury. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/bip6CzHss7
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) September 27, 2025
