The WNBA has suspended Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for one game after her behavior and comments during and following the team’s 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.
Details of the Suspension
The league cited Reeve’s actions, including aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after her ejection with 21.8 seconds remaining, making inappropriate remarks to fans, and criticizing officials during a postgame press conference. Reeve was also fined by the WNBA.
She will serve the suspension in Game 4 of the semifinals against Phoenix on Sunday. Minnesota trails the best-of-five series 2-1. This is believed to be the first time a WNBA coach has been suspended for a playoff game.
Assistant Coaches Fined
Minnesota assistant coaches Eric Thibault and Rebekkah Brunson were also fined. Thibault was penalized for inappropriate interaction with an official on the court, while Brunson received a fine for an inappropriate social media comment directed at WNBA officials.
Reeve Criticizes Officiating
Reeve’s frustration centered on a late-game play in which Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Napheesa Collier and scored the game-sealing layup. Collier injured her left ankle on the play and will miss Game 4.
Reeve called the officiating “(expletive) malpractice,” targeting the game officials Isaac Barnett, Randy Richardson, and Jenna Reneau. She also called for league-wide changes in officiating standards, echoing concerns raised by other coaches, including Las Vegas’s Becky Hammon, about physicality and foul calls in the playoffs.
League Response
The National Basketball Referees Association defended the officials’ decision, posting a clip of the play on X, stating: “This is NOT a foul. Thomas legally gets to the ball and knocks the ball loose prior to any contact. The leg-to-leg contact is incidental once the ball is clearly loose.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has previously emphasized the importance of consistency in officiating, acknowledging coaches’ concerns and stating that every play is reviewed to ensure proper training and enforcement.