The WNBA has suspended Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve for Game 4 of the Lynx’s semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury.
Late in Game 3, Reeve stormed onto the court after a controversial no-call, berating officials while players and staff members attempted to hold her back.
During the post-game press conference that followed, Reeve again criticized the officials.
On Saturday, the WNBA announced Reeve had been suspended for Game 4 with a post on social media:
“Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve has been suspended for one game for her conduct and comments during and following the Lynx’s 84-76 loss to the Mercury at PHX Arena in Phoenix on Friday, it was announced today by the WNBA. Her conduct and comments included aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection with 21.8 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and remarks made in a post-game press conference. Reeve will serve the suspension tomorrow when the Lynx play the Mercury in Game 4 of the teams’ semifinals series in Phoenix.
“In addition, Reeve and assistant coaches Eric Thibault and Rebekkah Brunson have each been fined. Thibault was fined for his inappropriate interaction with an official on the court. Brunson was fined for an inappropriate social media comment directed at WNBA officials.”
Looking Back at Cheryl Reeve’s Post-Game Comments After Controversial No-Call
As the WNBA’s announcement of Reeve’s suspension noted, the veteran coach has not only been suspended because of her conduct before the ejection, but also for the comments she made to fans while exiting the arena.
Following the game, while addressing members of the press, Reeve took a verbal jab at the WNBA’s leadership:
“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. The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinal-playoff worthy, it’s f****** malpractice.”
As the Lynx look to stave off elimination, they will now have to do so without Reeve on the sideline.
Looking Back at the No-Call on Alyssa Thomas
Cheryl Reeve’s frustration with the officials boiled over late in Game 3 when Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, who flirted with a triple-double in the team’s win, stole the ball from Napheesa Collier moments after the Lynx executed a sideline out-of-bounds (SLOB) play.
The steal resulted in the two getting tangled up, with Collier rolling her ankle as a result of the collision.
On the other end of the court, Thomas scored a breakaway layup, giving Phoenix an 82-76 lead before Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve stormed onto the floor.
Moments later, after making her way to the bench, an emotional Napheesa Collier went back to the locker room with the help of teammates and Minnesota staff members.
So far, it’s remained unclear whether the five-time WNBA All-Star will be healthy enough to play in Game 4.
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. Sunday in Phoenix.
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