Sports columnist and host Jason Whitlock was not impressed with Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Whitlock criticized the referees for poor officiating and the New York Liberty for their terrible shooting throughout the game. The Liberty knocked off the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime on Sunday night to win their first-ever championship.
Whitlock shared on X (formerly Twitter) his frustration about the “rigged officiating” in the game, held at the Liberty’s home floor at Barclays Center.
He said the Liberty’s championship should have an “asterisk next to it,” following the “worst championship game” in American sports history.
“Thanks to rigged officiating, the New York Liberty won the WNBA title shooting 30% from the field and 2 of 23 from three. They should be embarrassed accepting the trophy. Put an asterisk next to it. Worst championship game in the history of American sports,” Whitlock said.
The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx struggled from the field, with both shooting below 40.0%. However, the Liberty went to the charity 25 times, more than thrice the Lynx’s seven attempts.
One of the debatable calls happened with five seconds left in regulation and the Liberty were down 60-58. Minnesota’s Alanna Smith was called for a foul on Breanna Stewart, who appeared to have traveled as she drove into the paint.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve challenged the call but was unsuccessful as the referees deemed Smith was not in a legal guarding position. Stewart made both free throws and Kayla McBride missed a shot on the other end, sending the game to overtime.
Minnesota could not buy a basket in overtime as the Liberty turned their defense up a notch. New York forced five turnovers in the extra period and held on for the 67-62 win.
