Coach was ejected after storming the court to berate an official

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, restrained by associate head coach Eric Thibault and guard Natisha Hiedeman, yells at officials after being ejected.

WNBA coach Cheryl Reeve slammed the officiating after a playoff loss which saw her ejected.

The Minnesota Lynx coach was kicked out of Friday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury in fury.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, restrained by associate head coach Eric Thibault and guard Natisha Hiedeman, yells at officials after being ejected.
Cheryl Reeve was ejected from the Minnesota Lynx’s game against the Phoenix MercuryCredit: AP

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) lunges for a basketball after colliding with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who is on the ground.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier was left on the floor after a challenge from Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa ThomasCredit: AP
And Reeve, 59, didn’t hold back in her post-game interview.

She called it “malpractice” to have the officiating team work a WNBA playoff semifinal game.

And the coach also demanded change at league level.

An angry Reeve said, “If this is what the league wants, OK.

“But I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.

“The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinal-playoff worthy, it’s f***ing malpractice.”

Reeve was furious when Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was left on the floor in pain.

Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Collier and went on to seal her team’s win with a layup.

Collier came down hard on her ankle after apparent contact with Thomas.

But no foul was called and Reeve was left furious.
Sophie Cunningham handed third major fine by WNBA after slamming officials again following season-ending injury
She was held back by players and staff to run onto court and berate an official.

And the coach was ejected with seconds remaining.

Collier suffered “probably a fracture,” Reeve confirmed after the game.

The coach was annoyed that Collier did not have a free throw attempt in the 84-76 loss.

“We were trying to play through it, trying not to make excuses,” Reeve added.

“But one of the best players in the league, she had zero free throws and she had five fouls.

“She had her shoulder pulled out and finished the game with her leg being taken out.

“I can take an L with the best of them. I don’t think we should have to play through what we did.”

Officiating standards have been a controversial subject in the WNBA this season.

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has been fined multiple times for remarks about refs.