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May 13, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve during a press conference before a game against the Chicago Sky at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Imago
May 13, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve during a press conference before a game against the Chicago Sky at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
With the Minnesota Lynx holding a 58-60 lead and 5.2 seconds left to play, New York Liberty’s forward Breanna Stewart caught an inbound pass. She shuffled her feet before dribbling and was later fouled on a shot attempt. Stewie wound up burying two free throws that tied the score, sending the game into overtime. Not only did she appear to travel, but the foul on Minnesota was also borderline.
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In response, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve challenged the call on the court. However, the ruling was upheld, as officials claimed that the team’s forward Alanna Smith wasn’t in a legal defensive position. For Reeve, it was a significant loss, as it gave the Liberty a chance to play in overtime while cutting into their lead. “I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul.’ Bring it on. Because the sh-t was stolen from us,” expressed Reeve in a post-game conference.
While much of this went unnoticed, one person stayed hooked to the game, catching glimpses of his wife dominating on the court—Napheesa Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell. Disappointed by the turn of events, Bazzell immediately took to his official X account and wrote, “It’s really sad that’s how it ended. Love this team. Go Lynx.”
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Cheryl Reeve: “I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul.’ Bring it on. Because the sh-t was stolen from us.”
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) October 21, 2024
The disparity in free throws was indeed shocking. Minnesota Lynx had only eight free throw attempts, whereas Liberty had 25 throughout the game. Now, the Lynx are left with three runner-up finishes alongside four championship titles in franchise history.
But, hey, the controversy around officiating hasn’t ended yet.
Sandy Brondello’s too got a take on “Stolen from Us”
Though officials failed to notice Breanna Stewart traveling, spectators did. “The officiating in the last 90 seconds of this WNBA game was an absolute joke,” Bill Simmons wrote on X, pointing out the loopholes the Lynx witnessed in overtime. So, it was pretty obvious Sandy Brondello knew it was a questionable foul call.
When asked about it, she said, “I thought they were pretty fair,” bursting into a sly smile. It was her post-Game 4 interview that gave her the chance to crack a joke. After their Game 4 loss, Brondello had been frustrated and fired back at the officials. “If we are getting hit, it’s a bl–dy foul,” she had said.
But now, the tables have turned. And that’s why she called the officiating “fair.” According to Brondello, it’s all a give and take. “Game No. 1—we should’ve won that game, you know,” she remarked. While she emphasized having “so much respect for Cheryl,” she also mentioned that her team “found a way to win.” Simply put, it meant that by hook or by crook, she got the trophy. Now the question is: Will Reeve sit back in silence, or will she clap back? Stay tuned to find out!
Written by
Edited by
Shivatmika Manvi