The fifth and final game of the WNBA Finals went into overtime. New York Liberty wins First championship in franchise history.
However, Minnesota Lynx head coach Sheryl Reeve appears to believe it should never have gotten to that point.
“This — it was stolen from us,” she said after the game.
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Minnesota Lynx head coach Sheryl Reeve looks on during a press conference after losing to the New York Liberty in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center in New York City on October 20, 2024. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Reeve lashed out at officials, saying there were too many “inconsistencies” in the foul calls.
“All the headlines are going to be, 'Reeve cries,' bring it, bring it, because this was stolen from us,” she said.
Reeve's biggest problem was a foul called on Lynx center Alana Smith with 5.2 seconds left in regulation. The Lynx challenged the call but missed, and Brianna Stewart made two free throws to send the game into overtime.
“When they objected, if we had turned on that clip, they would have said, this is marginal contact, it's not a foul, it's warranted, it's warranted,” Reeve said. Ta. “So when you review, you want the same parameters that you're reviewing, but you need a fourth party to tell the three people in the game that, because that's what determined the game. ”
Minnesota Lynx head coach Sheryl Reeve watches Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Angel Reese sits courtside in Split Links/Liberty attire during the WNBA Finals
But overall, the Lynx only hit six free throws in Game 5. New York got to the line 23 times.
“I saw a very physical, aggressive New York team,” Reeve said. “We've been in this game for a long time so we know that sometimes when you're physical and aggressive you can get away with something like this, and they certainly did that. It's unfortunate that was involved,'' Reeve said.
“These guys shot 30 percent.” [from the floor]. “We shot 30 percent. The difference was at the foul line,” Reeve said of Liberty.
“I just don't think it's right to lose a series with that level of inconsistency. We don't have a team that whines and complains and things like that. Sometimes it can hurt us. We can do a little bit more. Maybe, but I don't think so.''I don't know, something. But when you have a star player like Fee, I don't understand why she gets held up, goes to the basket, gets hit, and gets hit at the last minute. At best, you're sending your best player to the free throw line, and that's a tough thing to accept. ”
Stewart made two more free throws with 10 seconds left in overtime to put Liberty up by five points, but the ice nearly stopped.
No. 30 Brianna Stewart of the New York Liberty celebrates with the WNBA Championship trophy after winning Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center in New York City on October 20, 2024. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride did their best to take home the trophy with 22 and 21 points, respectively. However, it wasn't enough in the end as the Liberty team was full of emotion and celebration on their home court.
FOX News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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