Cheryl Reeve ejected as Lynx fall to Mercury in Game 3 of WNBA semifinals

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was restrained from a WNBA officiating crew and later ejected after a lengthy on-court confrontation in Game 3 of the league’s playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Mercury, a result that helped Phoenix seize control of the series with an 84-76 win.

The incident erupted after Napheesa Collier, the Lynx star forward, rolled her ankle on a late layup by Phoenix. Collier finished the play, but the impact appeared severe enough that she needed assistance to leave the court for evaluation. As Collier was helped toward the locker room, Reeve sprinted onto the floor and confronted an official, was held back by a Lynx player and members of her coaching staff, and then remained engaged with the officials for several minutes before being ejected following her second technical foul. The scene unfolded as Minnesota’s top seed tried to steady itself in a tightly contested game that ultimately swung on the Mercury’s late run.

Image: Cheryl Reeve confrontation with official.

Reeve did not mince words after the game, criticizing the physical nature of the matchup and suggesting that the officiating had a direct impact on how the game was played. She said the contest had become too physical, and stated that Collier “probably has a fracture” without providing further details. “People get hurt, there’s fights. And this is the look that our league wants, for some reason,” Reeve said, before adding that Minnesota had tried to play through the contact and avoid making excuses.

The loss left the Lynx with a 2-1 lead for Phoenix in the best-of-five semifinal series. Satou Sabally scored 23 points for the Mercury, including 15 in a pivotal fourth quarter that swung the late momentum in Phoenix’s favor. Sabally connected on a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:05 remaining to give the Mercury a 78-76 edge, then added two free throws with 2:01 left to stretch the advantage to 80-76. Alyssa Thomas then stripped a Lynx defender and converted a layup with 21.8 seconds to play, closing out a 21-9 run by Phoenix in the fourth period and sealing the win.

Sabally’s late surge complemented a strong overall performance from Phoenix, which trailed for most of the night but rode its defense and timely offense in the final minutes to seize momentum. Minnesota had controlled much of the game, including stretches in which the Lynx forced stops and converted in transition, yet the decisive stretch belonged to the Mercury—who improved to 2-1 in the series and can advance to the Finals with a win in Game 4 in Phoenix.

The incident and the postgame fallout added another chapter to a season already defined by intense playoff atmospheres and high-stakes matchups. Reeve’s confrontation and her criticisms of the officiating come amid ongoing scrutiny of how the league manages physical play in the postseason, with players frequently discussing the balance between competitive intensity and safety. While Reeve’s frustration was evident, the broader context of the series remains fluid as both teams prepare for a likely decisive Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix.

The Mercury, who have now taken a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five, will seek to close out the Lynx in Phoenix. Minnesota, meanwhile, will aim to even the series and extend its season with a road victory that would force a deciding fifth game. The fallout from Friday night’s events will likely shape discussions around officiating and game management as both teams turn their attention to the next contest.