Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words following her team’s gut-wrenching loss to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals, as she unleashed a fiery critique of the game’s officiating that has since gone viral. With tensions running high after what many are calling one of the most questionable finishes in WNBA history, Reeve’s post-game press conference sent shockwaves through the sports world, with her calling out the officiating and insinuating that the outcome of the game had been influenced by a series of blatant errors from the referees.

The final moments of the game were filled with drama and controversy, with Minnesota’s title hopes being dashed in the closing seconds. Reeve pointed to several calls—or lack thereof—that she believes directly changed the course of the game, including a critical no-call on what appeared to be an obvious five-step travel by Liberty star Breanna Stewart. “Stewie literally ran with the ball. It was a five-step travel, clear as day, and yet there was no whistle,” Reeve said, still in disbelief. “The officials didn’t even mention it. It’s unacceptable.”

“The Game Was Rigged”: Twitter Erupts as NBA Stars Weigh In

The questionable officiating didn’t go unnoticed by fans or players, with the controversy trending on Twitter within minutes of the game ending. NBA stars were quick to voice their opinions, many suggesting that the game was “rigged” to favor the Liberty. “The refs were handing them the game. It was embarrassing,” tweeted one player, echoing Reeve’s sentiments.

For Reeve, the five-step travel wasn’t the only issue. She pointed to an array of questionable fouls called against her team that ultimately swung the momentum in New York’s favor. “Bridget Carlton was in perfect position—textbook legal guarding—yet they call a blocking foul. They were desperate to tie the game and handed New York free points,” Reeve explained, her frustration palpable.

In perhaps the most egregious sequence, with the Lynx holding a two-point lead in the final moments, Napheesa Collier stole the ball from Breanna Stewart cleanly, only for the referees to whistle a foul. Stewart was sent to the line, and the Liberty were gifted the chance to tie the game. “That wasn’t just poor officiating—that was them trying to give New York the game. Fee [Collier] made a perfect defensive play, and they called a foul where there was zero contact. It’s a disgrace,” Reeve said, visibly angry.

“Napheesa Took 23 Shots and Didn’t Get a Single Free Throw” – Reeve Questions Bias

One of the most alarming statistics from the game was the fact that Lynx star Napheesa Collier took 23 shots without a single free throw attempt. Reeve was quick to highlight this in her criticism, claiming that Collier was fouled multiple times but never got the benefit of a call. “For some reason, the refs decided Fee wasn’t going to the line today. I’d say she was fouled four or five times on layups alone. It’s unbelievable that she didn’t get a single free throw in a game like this,” Reeve said.

She also noted that the disparity in officiating wasn’t just limited to the final game, claiming that the series as a whole was marred by inconsistencies. “This wasn’t just tonight. Over the entire series, there were so many questionable calls against us. It feels like we were battling the refs as much as we were battling New York.”

Reeve Demands Changes to Officiating and Challenge Rules

In addition to her criticism of the officiating, Reeve also called for sweeping changes to the way the WNBA handles challenges and reviews. “The officiating crews need a neutral third party to oversee challenges in real time. These kinds of mistakes should be caught immediately. If a coach challenges a call, it should be reviewed by someone impartial, not the same three officials who made the mistake in the first place,” she said.

Reeve’s call for reform comes on the heels of multiple controversial challenge rulings throughout the series. During Game 4, the Lynx challenged a foul call on Bridget Carlton, which was upheld despite video evidence that seemed to show minimal contact. “We sent the clip to the league, and they told us it was ‘marginal contact.’ That’s nonsense. How is this the standard we’re working with?”

“We Won That Game” – Reeve Calls Out Liberty’s “Lucky” Win

Despite the official result, Reeve made it clear that, in her eyes, the Lynx had done enough to win the game. “We had the ball, up by two with three seconds left. All we had to do was run out the clock. We should be celebrating right now, but instead, we’re talking about this travesty,” Reeve stated.

She also highlighted a sequence in which JONQUEL JONES of the Liberty barreled through Bridget Carlton in what looked like a clear offensive foul, only for the refs to call a blocking foul on Carlton. “They panicked, gave Jones the benefit of the doubt, and gave her the call. That changed everything.”

“The Game Was Stolen From Us” – What’s Next for the WNBA?

As the dust settles on what was supposed to be an exciting conclusion to the WNBA Finals, the conversation now shifts to what, if anything, the league will do to address these concerns. Reeve, who risked a hefty fine for her remarks, made it clear that she’s willing to face whatever consequences come her way in order to bring attention to the issue.

“If they fine me for speaking the truth, it’ll be one of the worst looks for the league,” Reeve said defiantly. “The game was stolen from us, plain and simple. And if they try to silence me for saying that, it’s just going to add fuel to the fire.”

The officiating controversy has left fans wondering if the WNBA will respond to the mounting criticism. For now, Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx will have to live with the frustrating result, but Reeve’s bold stance may just spark the change she believes the league desperately needs.

As the WNBA faces the fallout from this controversial finale, one thing is certain: the conversation about refereeing in professional sports is far from over. Fans, players, and coaches alike will be watching closely to see if the league takes action—or if this controversial ending becomes just another chapter in the ongoing debate about fairness in sports.