LeBron James rips WNBA referees over controversial call in Liberty’s finals win

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said the WNBA championship was “stolen” from the Lynx during her complaints about the officiating Sunday night.

Related: New York Liberty hold off Minnesota Lynx in overtime to win first WNBA title

The New York Liberty beat the Lynx 67-62 in Game 5 in overtime, getting there after a disputed foul gave Breanna Stewart two free throws that tied the game with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation.

“We know we could have done some things, right, but you shouldn’t have to overcome to that extent,” Reeve said. “This shit ain’t that hard. Officiating is not that hard.”

Reeve, who has led the Lynx to four WNBA championships and coached the US women to an Olympic gold medal this summer in Paris, said she was aware there would be headlines about her complaining.

“Bring it on,” she said, “because that shit was stolen from us.”

Schedule

Best-of-five series. All times Eastern.

Thu 10 Oct Game 1: Minnesota 95, New York 93 (OT)

Sun 13 Oct Game 2: New York 80, Minnesota 66

Wed 16 Oct Game 3: New York 80, Minnesota 77

Fri 18 Oct Game 4: Minnesota 82, New York 80

Sun 20 Oct Game 5: New York 67, Minnesota 62 (OT)

Reeve was not alone in her dissatisfaction with the officiating.

LA Lakers star LeBron James shared his frustration on X, writing: “I’m sorry but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close battled tested game.”

Eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard also chimed in, suggesting the WNBA was favoring the larger-market team in New York: “Refs called this game like they knew the assignment in the 2nd half boy.”

The Liberty shot 25 free throws, while the Lynx went 7 for 8. Minnesota was called for 21 fouls to New York’s 17, with All-Star forward Napheesa Collier, the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, fouling out.

Reeve took particular issue with the foul on Alanna Smith with Minnesota holding a 60-58 lead. Stewart drove into the lane and appeared to take the shot before there was any contact. The Lynx challenged the call, but it was upheld after video review.

Reeve called the contact “marginal at best”.

“This sucks,” she said, after mentioning faulty officiating in Minnesota’s loss in the 2016 WNBA finals. “This is for a championship, for both teams. Let them decide it. What contact is legal should be the same for both teams.”