Controversial foul call leads to WNBA finals loss by Lynx to NY

Crucial play in WNBA Finals
Lynx center Alanna Smith was called for a foul on this play Photo credit Getty Images

The Lynx lost to the New York Liberty 67-62 in overtime on Sunday night in a gut-wrenching end to a highly competitive WNBA Finals.

And Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve isn't happy about how they got from there to here.

"I know all the headlines will be 'Reeve cries foul'," she said. "Bring it on, right? Bring it on. Because this (stuff) was stolen from us."

The most critical play in question came within the closing seconds and the Lynx holding a 60-58 lead.

The ball was inbounded to New York's Breanna Stewart, who slightly bobbled the ball, turned toward the basket, and tried to get the shot off.

A foul was called on Minnesota's Alanna Smith.

The Lynx challenged but the call stood, and Stewart, whose missed free throws earlier in the series and earlier in the fourth quarter set up the frantic closing seconds, sank both shots to tie the score.

"It's a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this," Reeve said. "That (the controversial play) decided the game."

Video of the call shows that Stewart shuffled her feet after catching the ball, and it appeared that contact by Smith was minimal.

“That was not a foul,” Reeve said.

Kayla McBride's three-point attempt hit the front of the rim, and the deciding game of the WNBA Finals went to overtime for the first time ever.

With stars Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggling on offense, other players stepped up for New York.

Leonie Fiebich started off OT with a 3-pointer, and then Nyara Sabally, who finished with 13 points, had a steal for a layup to make it 65-60 and bring the sellout crowd to a frenzied state.

“Whoever scores in overtime first usually wins,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said.

Minnesota didn’t score in OT until Kayla McBride hit two free throws with 1:51 left.

The Lynx missed all six of their field goal attempts in overtime.

After Ionescu missed a shot with 21 seconds left, her 18th miss on 19 shot attempts, the Lynx had one last chance, but Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.

This is the first time since 2019 that the WNBA Finals have gone the distance. Since the league switched to a best-of-five format in 2005, seven other series have gone to a Game 5 and the home team had won five of those previous contests, including in 2019.

This series has been a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking season for the league. All five games came down to the last few possessions and have included two overtime games and a last-second shot, which have led to record ratings.

The Lynx were trying for a record fifth WNBA title, breaking a tie with the Seattle Storm and Houston Comets. Minnesota won four titles from 2011-17 behind the core group of Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore.

That was the team’s last appearance in the WNBA Finals until this year.

The Liberty, an original WNBA franchise, won its first title ever, and gave New York City a basketball championship since the Knicks won the NBA crows in 1973.

“Credit to Minnesota, they gave us a tough series," said Stewart. "The fans have been amazing everywhere we’ve gone. To bring a championship to New York, first ever in franchise history it’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to continue to celebrate with the city. It’s going to be bonkers.”

The Liberty made the WNBA Finals five times before, losing each one, including last season.

This time they wouldn’t be denied, although it took an extra five minutes.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images