MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 11: Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx reacts to a play in Game Five of the 2016 WNBA Finals against the Los Angeles Sparks on October 11, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve unloaded on officials following a blown call after losing the deciding Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

Reeve, the WNBA’s all-time postseason wins leader and a three-time champion, expressed frustration at the officiating crew for failing to review a shot by Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike that came with just over a minute left to play. Replays showed Ogwumike didn’t get the shot off before the shot clock expired, a play that was reviewable at the time. But the referees apparently didn’t hear the shot clock go off and once the ball is put back in play, a review can no longer take place.

The Lynx ultimately lost by one point, 77-76, so the blown call had a huge effect on the Sparks’ title victory.

 

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Reeve didn’t just lament the missed shot clock violation. In her postgame press conference, she criticized the level of officiating throughout the WNBA, saying referees don’t even get “the simple things” right.

“It’s really unfortunate that players continually put themselves out there, playing and competing at a really high level,” Reeve said. “Whether it was the 8-second call in L.A. or the game today doesn’t matter, OK?

“The game today, it’s not fair to the players. It’s not enough just to apologize or send out a memo that they got something wrong, OK? These players are so invested, and something must be done about the officiating in this league because it’s not fair to these great players we have.”

You can view Reeve’s remarks to the media in this video:

 

Reeve was heated, but didn’t fault the Sparks organization and made sure to give them credit for their win. She also admitted calls have favored her team in the past.

Considering a blown call might have cost the Lynx a WNBA championship, however, Reeve’s strongly worded postgame comments are entirely justified. Losing a game because of a blown call hurts, losing a championship is devastating.

[ESPN]

About Liam McGuire

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