LeBron James criticizes WNBA refs after Liberty"s Game 5 win
- During Game 5 of the WNBA finals on October 20, 2024, the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime after a controversial foul call.
- Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve expressed her discontent with officiating, claiming it negatively impacted her team's chance at victory.
- The incident has sparked criticism from notable figures, including LeBron James, who advocated for players to determine the game's outcome.
On October 20, 2024, the WNBA finals witnessed a tense Game 5 where the New York Liberty triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime. The victory was overshadowed by a disputed foul call against the Lynx, allowing Breanna Stewart to tie the game with free throws. The incident occurred with just 5.2 seconds left in regulation and raised significant concerns about officiating quality during a championship match. Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx coach, vocally accused the officiating crew of theft, asserting that the championship title was unfairly taken from her team. She highlighted previous concerns about officiating consistency and stressed the importance of allowing players to determine the outcome of such crucial games based on their performance rather than questionable calls. Reeve's remarks drew widespread attention and incited debates about the integrity of the sport. NBA stars LeBron James and Damian Lillard also weighed in on the issue, calling attention to the officiating. James tweeted his disbelief over the foul call, urging for a game dictated by players' decisions. Lillard's comments suggested that the referees displayed bias favoring the larger-market Liberty. The disparity in free throw attempts, with the Liberty getting 25 compared to the Lynx’s 8, fueled perceptions of unfairness. This contentious match will likely lead to further scrutiny of WNBA officiating standards and practices as the league moves forward.