Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will be suspended for Sunday’s Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals in Phoenix in part for confronting referees over the finish to Game 3.
Losing Reeve for a potential series-deciding game is obviously a huge deal for a Lynx team favored to win the 2025 WNBA Finals going into this year’s playoff bracket.
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With superstar forward Nahpeesa Collier also probably missing the game with an injury (a possible fracture, per Reeve), Reeve’s suspension could leave the Mercury in prime position to strike for a spot in the Finals.
What does this all mean? What did Reeve do to get suspended? How will the Lynx adjust to life without her on the sideline? In easily the most seismic 2025 WNBA playoff development so far, let’s break down the particulars.
What happened in the game that made Reeve so upset?
During a late-game sequence on Friday night, Collier drove the basketball, only for Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas to make a fast break for a quick steal and layup. However, Thomas and Collier collided on the former’s move, leaving Collier injured and Reeve absolute irate that Thomas wasn’t called for a foul.
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It’s debatable whether or not Thomas’ contact qualified as a foul, but Reeve surely thought so. She verbally accosted the referees over the move, got ejected and left the court swearing at Phoenix fans in the stands.
What did she say after the game?
Reeve lambasted the league for allowing so much physicality and excoriated the officiating crew that called Game 3. Her comments were absolutely scathing.
What was the WNBA’s response?
The league suspended Reeve on Saturday afternoon for “her conduct and comments during and following” the Lynx loss to the Mercury, per a release.
How long is Reeve suspended?
Only Sunday’s game as of now, but the catch is that it could be Minnesota’s last game of the season. If the Lynx lose, the Mercury will go to the 2025 WNBA Finals. If the Lynx can win Game 4, Reeve will return to the sideline for Game 5 in Minneapolis.
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What is the impact of her suspension?
Immense. Reeve is the best coach in the WNBA, and Minnesota adjusting to life without Reeve and probably without Collier in an elimination game on the road is tough business. The Lynx will need a flawless game from everyone else.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why is Cheryl Reeve suspended for Game 4 of the WNBA playoffs?
