Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve suspended by WNBA after fiery comments toward league

The WNBA suspended Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for one game for conduct and comments toward a game official during Game 3 of the semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury. Reeve will serve the suspension in Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix, as Minnesota faces elimination after an 84-76 loss.

Reeve was escorted off the court after directing a tirade at the officiating crew following Napheesa Collier's injury. In a postgame interview, she criticized the officiating and urged leadership changes, saying she wanted a "change in leadership" at the league level and calling the officiating "malpractice."

In a Saturday statement, the WNBA attributed the suspension to Reeve's "conduct and comments" that included aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner with 21.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans as she exited, and remarks made in a postgame press conference.

Along with Reeve's punishment, Lynx assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson was fined for writing a post on X directed at the referees, saying, "Yeah, this happened! Take out one of the best players in the league because you have no control of the game!" Minnesota associate head coach was also issued a technical during Friday's game for yelling at the officials.

The incident comes as Minnesota trailing 2-1 in the best-of-five semifinal series, with Game 4 looming in Phoenix. The Lynx would need a win to force a deciding fifth game and keep alive their postseason hopes, while the Mercury sought to close out the series on their home floor. The league’s actions underscore a broader playoff moment surrounding officiating and on-court conduct, with consequences handed down to both a head coach and a staffer for comments and actions during and after the game.