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Cheryl Reeve after Lynx lose WNBA Finals to Liberty: 'This s**t was stolen from us'

By
Updated  October 20, 2024 11:19pm CDT
Minnesota Lynx
FOX 9

Cheryl Reeve on WNBA Finals loss: 'That s**t was stolen from us'

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve reacts to the controversial finish in a 67-62 loss in overtime to the New York Liberty, who won their first WNBA title Sunday night.

The Brief

    • The Lynx lost Game 5 of the WNBA Finals 67-62 in overtime after a controversial end in regulation
    • Breanna Stewart hit 2 free throws with 5.2 seconds to play after Cheryl Reeve lost a challenge on an Alanna Smith foul. The officials missed a travel on Stewart before the foul
    • The Lynx were out-scored 7-2 in overtime

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Lynx lost Game 5 of the WNBA Finals to the New York Liberty 67-62 Sunday night in overtime, but it was the end of regulation that everyone is talking about.

The Lynx led 60-58 in the final minute of the winner-take-all game until Breanna Stewart tied it with a pair of free throws after Alanna Smith was called for a foul with less than 10 seconds to play. Stewart clearly travels after catching an inbounds pass, was not fouled on her shot and the whistle came well after it missed. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve challenged the play, the replay showed minimal contact and it play stood as a foul.

Reeve sounded off after the game.

"It’s a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this. We have got to change our challenge rules. The officials to end the game should have a third party, because that was not a foul. That call should’ve been reversed," Reeve said. "If we would’ve turned that clip in, they would’ve told us it was marginal contact, no foul Guaranteed. The three people that are on the game need a third party to let them know, that decided the game."

Even LeBron James complained about the call on social media. It comes after Liberty coach Sandy Brondello publicly complained about the officiating after the Lynx won Game 4 to force the decisive Game 5.

Lynx react after WNBA Finals loss to Liberty (FULL PRESSER)

Cheryl Reeve, Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride react after the Minnesota Lynx lost Game 5 of the WNBA Finals Sunday night to the New York Liberty 67-62 in overtime.

Stewart made both shots at the line to force overtime. The Liberty out-scored the Lynx 7-2 in the final five minutes to win their first WNBA championship.

"I know all the headlines will be Reeve cries foul. Bring it on, because this shit was stolen from us. Bring it on. You shouldn’t have to overcome to that extent, this shit ain’t that hard," Reeve said. "Be consistent, every team asks for that. Three games this series, we’re talking about the same damn thing. It just doesn’t feel right that you lose a series with that level of discrepancy. This sucks, this is for a championship, let them decide it. This isn’t that hard."

Why it matters

The Lynx had not been to the WNBA Finals since 2017. They were trying to win their fifth championship. Both Reeve and Brondello had issues with the officiating that they went public with in three of the five games. 

By the numbers

Napheesa Collier had 22 points and seven rebounds. Kayla McBride had 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. But they didn’t get much more help. Courtney Williams had just four points on 2-of-14 shooting.

Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 17 points. Sabrina Ionescu had just five points on 1-of-19 shooting. Stewart had 13 points, 15 rebounds and four steals.

The Lynx got out to a 12-point lead and led by seven at half, but the Liberty used a 20-6 run between the second and third quarters to lead by as many as five in the second half.

But most of the talk will be about the questionable officiating in the final minute of regulation.