Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Suspended for Game 4 Following Conduct in Game 3 Loss
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has been suspended for one game due to her actions during and after the team's Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA semifinals.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has been suspended for one game following her conduct during and after the team's 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals, the league announced Saturday. Reeve will serve the suspension during Sunday's Game 4 in Phoenix, where the Lynx face elimination, trailing the series 2-1.
The suspension results from Reeve's actions in the final moments of Game 3. With 21.8 seconds remaining, Lynx forward Napheesa Collier collided with Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas while attempting a steal, leading to Collier falling and appearing injured. No foul was called on the play. Reeve reacted by entering the court to confront an official, resulting in her second technical foul and subsequent ejection. As she exited, Reeve also addressed fans at PHX Arena.
In a statement, the league cited Reeve's "aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and remarks made in a post-game press conference" as reasons for the suspension.
Associate head coach Eric Thibault received a technical foul for his interaction with officials and was fined. Assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson was also fined for a social media post criticizing the officiating.
The National Basketball Referees Association defended the non-call involving Collier and Thomas, stating that Thomas legally reached the ball before any contact occurred, and the subsequent leg-to-leg contact was incidental.
In her postgame press conference, Reeve criticized the officiating crew, describing their assignment to a playoff game as "malpractice" and calling for a change in league leadership regarding officiating. She also mentioned that Collier's shoulder was injured during the play and suggested a possible fracture, though no further details were provided.
The Lynx have not yet provided an update on Collier's status for Game 4.