Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve suspended, fined after referee clash and postgame comments

The WNBA suspended Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for the Lynx's next postseason game and fined her an undisclosed amount after she clashed with a game official and criticized officiating in a postgame press conference following Friday's semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The league also fined two Lynx assistants, Eric Thibault and Rebekkah Brunson, and the Lynx were set to play Game 4 of the series on Sunday.

Late in the fourth quarter with just over 21 seconds remaining, Reeve pursued a referee and engaged in a verbal confrontation after being ejected. She also refused to leave the court in a timely fashion and directed comments toward fans as she walked off. Minnesota later lost 84-76 to Phoenix, prompting the league to announce the discipline.

The sequence that drew the ire came when Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Napheesa Collier near the 3-point line and sprinted toward the other end for the game-sealing layup. Collier limped to the locker room after the collision, and Reeve said Collier “probably has a fracture,” though she did not provide specifics. The National Basketball Referees Association later highlighted the play on social media, arguing Thomas legally dislodged the ball and that the leg-to-leg contact was incidental once the ball was free.

There has been ongoing scrutiny of WNBA officiating this season. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed officiating concerns during All-Star Weekend, saying the league reviews every play and uses those findings to guide training for officials and to strive for consistency across games.

The penalties come as the Lynx prepare for Game 4 of the semifinals in their series with Phoenix. The league noted that the officiating team for Friday night included Isaac Barnett, Randy Richardson and Jenna Reneau; Thibault was fined for his inappropriate on-court interaction with an official, and Brunson was fined for an inappropriate social media comment directed at WNBA officials.

In the aftermath, Reeve defended her stance on officiating in the postgame session, calling for leadership changes at the league level and arguing for greater accountability in how games are officiated. The comments, along with the on-court incident, prompted league officials to act under the discipline framework established to address conduct during postseason games.

The Lynx, entering the offseason-defining phase of their campaign, await the next step in the series. Officials and team management emphasized adherence to conduct standards as the league pushes for consistency in officiating across all playoffs.