The Minnesota Lynx coach says the WNBA championship was “stolen” by a foul in the New York Liberty game

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve had some strong words for the referees after the team lost the WNBA Championship in overtime to the New York Liberty on Sunday night.

The exciting Game 5 contest was pushed into overtime after a foul was called in the final 5.2 seconds of the fourth quarter when Lynx forward Alanna Smith made contact with Liberty star Breanna Stewart. That foul allowed Stewart to tie the game with two free throws, clearing the way for the Liberty to rally in overtime and win 67-62.

Reeve was outraged by the overtime call, telling reporters in the postgame press conference that she felt Smith barely touched Stewart.

“I know all the headlines are going to be 'Reeve crying foul' … say it because that shit was stolen from us,” Reeve said.

Liberty head coach Sheryl Brondello was asked about Reeve's postgame comments and a small celebration with the team in which she said something derisive. She then joked that she thought the administration was “pretty fair.”

“That’s what you have to give, give and take,” Brondello said. “Like Game No. 1, we should have won that game.”

She went on to say she has a lot of respect for Reeve and the entire Lynx team, noting that the game was hard-fought. But in the end, Brondello said the team came together and found a way to win.

After the Liberty lost the game four days before the final, Brondello also told reporters that the referees needed to “be fair.” She criticized the officials for failing to call several fouls to the detriment of the Liberty team.

“If we get hit, it’s a foul,” Brondello said. “You know, I'm one of the nicest coaches in this league, but this is getting on my nerves. Just be fair.”

Basketball fans noted on social media that Brondello could be heard on the game broadcast telling her team to exaggerate in the final seconds if they were hit.

“If they foul you, sugarcoat it because that’s a foul,” Brondello said on the broadcast.

The WNBA is hardly the first or last championship to be negotiated after the fact by coaches and fans based on their officiating.

Many San Francisco 49ers fans were angry after the 2020 Super Bowl that officials failed to call multiple flags against the Kansas City Chiefs, including a number of holding penalties. Ultimately, the Chiefs won that Super Bowl game.