Cheryl Reeve ejected as Lynx fall to Mercury in Game 3; calls for officiating overhaul

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury moved within one win of the WNBA semifinals by beating the Minnesota Lynx 84-76 in Game 3 on Friday night, a win that gave Phoenix a 2-1 series lead. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected in the final minute after earning a second technical foul as the game ended in controversy; Napheesa Collier left the floor in visible distress after a late sequence that sparked Reeve’s ire.

Alyssa Thomas started the decisive late sequence for Phoenix by forcing a turnover near midcourt and then dribbling the length of the floor for a game-sealing layup as Collier lay on the floor in pain. The surrounding Lynx players and staff attempted to help Collier as officials and players gathered, and Reeve’s emotions spilled onto the court as she pressed toward the officials.

Reeve’s second technical came after she exchanged words with an official and was restrained by Lynx associate head coach Eric Thibault and guard Natisha Hiedeman, among others. In a postgame interview with ESPN, Reeve blasted the officiating and called for leadership changes at the league level.

"If this is what the league wants, OK, but I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating," Reeve said. "The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinal-playoff worthy, it's f---ing malpractice." Reeve later said Collier "probably has a leg fracture," though neither the team nor the league provided an update on her condition.

The game was marked by the broader discussion of playoff physicality and officiating that has dominated the season. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces head coach, spoke after Game 2 about what she described as out-of-control physicality in the postseason. "The physicality’s out of control for sure," Hammon said. "You can bump and grab a wide receiver in the NFL for those first five yards, but you can do it in the W for the whole half court. You put two hands on somebody, it should be an automatic foul. The freedom of movement? There’s no freedom." She added that her team fouls too, but stressed the trend had become difficult to manage. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The series now shifts back to Minnesota with the Lynx facing a must-win mindset to avoid falling behind 3-1. The teams will assess Collier’s injury status as they prepare for Game 4. The Lynx will be looking to restore their defense and balance without one of their top scorers, while Phoenix aims to push the series to a decisive fifth game.