WNBA Suspends Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve for Game 4 After Ejection and Postgame Comments
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve has been suspended for Game 4 of the semifinals following her ejection and critical remarks about officiating during Game 3.
The WNBA has suspended Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for Game 4 of the team's semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury. The suspension follows Reeve's ejection during the final minute of an 84-76 loss in Game 3 and her subsequent critical comments about officiating.
The league cited Reeve's conduct, which included aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection with 21.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and remarks made in a post-game press conference.
The incident occurred after Mercury star Alyssa Thomas made contact with Lynx forward Napheesa Collier's knee during a steal with 23.8 seconds remaining, leading to a breakaway layup and leaving Collier on the floor with a turned left ankle. Reeve entered the court before the ensuing inbound play to confront an official, resulting in her second technical foul and ejection.
In the postgame press conference, Reeve expressed frustration over the officiating, stating that Collier "probably has a fracture," and called for a change in league leadership regarding officiating, describing it as "bad for the game."
In addition to Reeve's suspension, the league fined Lynx assistant coaches Eric Thibault and Rebekkah Brunson. Thibault was fined for an "inappropriate interaction" with an official on the court, while Brunson was fined for an "inappropriate social media comment" directed at WNBA officials.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Phoenix, with the Lynx trailing the Mercury 2-1 in the best-of-five series. Reeve will not be on the sideline for this critical matchup.