PHOENIX (AP) — The Lynx will be without their head coach in Sunday's do-or-die WNBA semifinal playoff game after the league suspended Cheryl Reeve following a profanity-laced tirade after their game three loss at Phoenix
If the Lynx win game four in Phoenix, Reeve would be back for the deciding game five of the series.
"This is what our league wants? Okay," a seething Reeve said during the short post-game news conference. "I want to call for a change in leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating."
Reeve sprinkled several expletives during her appearance in front of reporters and ESPN television audience.
"The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinals playoff-worthy, is... malpractice," Reeve continued, trying hard to keep her emotions in check before walking away from the gathering.
Her appearance before reporters lasted less than two minutes and she took no follow-up questions.
In the announcement on Saturday by the league, the action was taken after not only for what were called "inappropriate comments," but also Reeve's conduct during the game with included "aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court."
Reeve was also fined, as were assistants Eric Thibault and Rebekka Brunson.
Thibault, the team's associate head coach who is expected to lead the team on Sunday, was also was hit with a technical foul in the game.
Brunson was disciplined for a social media post accusing the referees of having no control of the game.
The Lynx head coach was furious most of Friday night's game at the officiating, and was ejected after drawing her second technical foul after the game's final basket that gave the Mercury the 84-76 win.
On that play, Lynx all-star Napheesia Collier was was hurt and needed to be helped off the court.
No foul was called.
Satou Sabally scored 23 points to allow the Mercury to take control of their WNBA playoff semifinals series.
The Mercury have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and can reach the Finals on Sunday with a win in Game 4 in Phoenix.
Sabally hit a 3-pointer to give the Mercury a 78-76 lead with 3:05 remaining and added two free throws with 2:01 left to push the advantage to 80-76. Alyssa Thomas had a steal and layup with 21.8 seconds left that sealed the win, capping a 21-9 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota was led by Natisha Hiedeman’s 19 points off the bench. Collier added 17 points on 8 of 15 shooting while Courtney Williams added 14.
Minnesota trailed by four at halftime but rallied for a 67-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-8 Heideman gave the Lynx a big boost in the final five minutes of the third, scoring eight points.