Lynx's Reeve blasts refs after Collier hurt late in Game 3 loss - ESPN

PHOENIX — Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve went off on the officiating crew following Minnesota's 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of their series Friday, saying it was «malpractice» to have them work a WNBA playoff semifinal game.

Reeve was ejected in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter after Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and sealed the game at the other end with a layup.

Collier writhed in pain on the ground after her left leg made contact with Thomas on the play, resulting in Collier coming down hard on the side of her ankle. No foul was called. Collier hobbled to the bench, and Reeve said afterward that it was «probably a fracture» on her ankle, though she did not elaborate on the injury.

The Lynx did not have an update on Collier's status for Game 4.

«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,» Reeve said after the Lynx fell behind 2-1 in the series. «The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinal playoff worthy, it's f---ing malpractice.»

After Thomas scored, a furious Reeve had to be restrained as she ran onto the court to berate one of the officials. As the ref tried to walk away, Reeve followed him and received her second technical of the game, leading to an ejection.

Guard Natisha Hiedeman tried to hold Reeve back. So did two of her assistant coaches, while associate head coach Eric Thibault got a technical for yelling at the refs, as well.

Reeve would not stop and had to be dragged off the court. As she finally turned to walk back to the locker room, she yelled profanities at the PHX Arena fans.

Collier, who