Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve had something to say after her team’s Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, and it’s probably going to cost her.
An 84-76 defeat saw Reeve ejected in the final minute after running onto the court to berate the officials, on a play that left Lynx star Napheesa Collier needing to be helped off the court. Mercury star Alyssa Thomas made contact with Collier’s knee on a steal and caused her ankle to roll as well, adding injury to a game-sealing breakaway lay-up.
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Reeve was so livid she had to be restrained by multiple coaches and players as she attempted to charge back toward the refs.
That fury didn’t subside in the immediate aftermath of the game.
Instead, Reeve entered the room for her post-game news conference, unloaded on the officials and the WNBA for two minutes, then left without taking questions. In the process, she revealed that Collier had potentially sustained a fracture from her run-in with Thomas, with a shoulder issue earlier in the game too.
Reeve’s two cents:
A fine is almost certainly headed Reeve’s way from the WNBA, though she did manage to avoid one after another high-profile incident last postseason. This kind of critique isn’t new for her, thoughshe obviously isn’t the only person who has taken issue with the WNBA’s officiating as the league’s profile continues to rise.
However Reeve and the Lynx feel now, they have two days to regroup and try to save their season, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in Phoenix. If Collier isn’t healthy by then, it’s going to be dire situation for the owners of the best record in the WNBA.