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Minnesota Lynx coach claims that a foul call in the game against the New York Liberty “stole” the WNBA championship from his team

Posted on by Goldteelic
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22
Oct
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A controversial foul call in the final seconds of regulation allowed the New York Liberty to claim victory in overtime, leading Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve to declare that the WNBA championship “was stolen from us.” The intense Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, held on Sunday night, saw the Liberty emerge with a 67-62 win over the Lynx after a late-game foul sent the contest into overtime.

With just 5.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Lynx forward Alanna Smith was called for a foul on Liberty star Breanna Stewart, giving Stewart the opportunity to tie the game with two crucial free throws. She capitalized on the chance, sending the game into overtime where the Liberty took control and secured their first-ever WNBA championship. The foul, however, sparked significant controversy, with Reeve voicing strong objections to the officiating during her postgame press conference.

Reeve, clearly frustrated by the pivotal call, stated that she felt the contact between Smith and Stewart was minimal and did not warrant a foul. “I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul.’ … Bring it on, because this s— was stolen from us,” she said, expressing her belief that the Lynx had been unfairly disadvantaged by the referee’s decision. Her comments reflect the emotional intensity surrounding the game, as the Lynx were vying for their record-breaking fifth WNBA title.

Despite the Lynx’s strong performance throughout the series, the critical foul call shifted the momentum in favor of the Liberty, who capitalized on their second chance in overtime to close out the game. Stewart, who had struggled at times during the series, managed to deliver when it mattered most, propelling her team to victory and ending New York’s long wait for a WNBA championship.

Liberty head coach Sheryl Brondello was asked about Reeve’s remarks regarding the officiating after a brief celebration with her team. Brondello seemed unfazed by Reeve’s criticism, letting out a scoff and jokingly remarking that she thought the refereeing was “pretty fair.”

The win was monumental for the Liberty, one of the WNBA’s original franchises, who had previously reached the Finals five times without securing a championship. Meanwhile, the Lynx were hoping to add to their storied legacy, having won four titles between 2011 and 2017. For Minnesota, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the controversial circumstances that led to the game’s conclusion.

The WNBA Finals as a whole garnered significant attention, with all five games being highly competitive and featuring intense finishes, including two overtime thrillers. This season has been a record-breaking one for the league, with viewership and attendance hitting all-time highs. Game 5 was no exception, as fans packed the arena and millions tuned in to watch the historic matchup.

This controversial ending will likely be debated for some time, especially among Lynx fans who feel their team was on the receiving end of a bad call at a critical juncture. However, for the Liberty and their supporters, the championship win is a cause for celebration as they finally achieved the success that had eluded them for so long.

As the dust settles from this dramatic series, the 2024 WNBA Finals will be remembered not only for the high level of competition but also for the intense emotions and the debate over the officiating that defined its final moments.

In the aftermath of the WNBA Finals, New York Liberty head coach Sheryl Brondello responded to comments from Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who criticized the officiating in the decisive Game 5 overtime. The game, which ended with a 67-62 victory for the Liberty, marked the team’s first-ever WNBA championship, but it wasn’t without controversy.

“That’s the nature of the game; you give and take,” Brondello said when asked about the foul call in the final seconds of regulation that allowed Liberty star Breanna Stewart to tie the game with free throws. “Like Game 1, we should have won that game.”

Brondello showed respect for Reeve and the Lynx team, acknowledging how hard they fought throughout the series. “I have a lot of respect for Cheryl and for the Lynx. It was a hard-fought battle, no doubt,” Brondello continued. “But in the end, our team came together and found a way to win. That’s what champions do.”

This wasn’t the first time Brondello had voiced frustration with the officiating during the series. After the Liberty lost Game 4, she openly called for the referees to be “fair,” stating that several fouls went uncalled, negatively affecting her team’s performance.

“If we’re getting hit, that’s a foul,” Brondello stated emphatically. “You know, I’m one of the nicest coaches in this league, but this pisses me off. Just be fair.”

During the broadcast of Game 5, fans noted that Brondello was heard instructing her players in the final moments to exaggerate contact if they were fouled, telling them, “If they foul you, embellish it, because that’s a foul.”

Despite the controversy, the Liberty’s victory was historic, securing New York’s first basketball championship since the Knicks won the NBA title in 1973. The intensity of the game, combined with the drama surrounding the officiating, added to the buzz surrounding the WNBA Finals.

However, Brondello’s comments reflect a broader trend in sports, where officiating decisions often become a focal point of discussion in championship games. Much like the 2020 Super Bowl, where many San Francisco 49ers fans expressed outrage over missed penalties against the Kansas City Chiefs, the WNBA Finals will likely be remembered for both the high-stakes play and the debate over key referee decisions.

This WNBA Finals not only captivated basketball fans but also set records for viewership and attendance, with all five games coming down to the final possessions. Brondello’s candid remarks and Reeve’s frustrations have only fueled the conversation, further cementing this championship series as one of the most talked-about in recent WNBA history.

As the Liberty celebrated their first WNBA title, one thing became clear: whether it’s the controversy or the triumph, this series will be remembered for years to come.

Goldteelic

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