WNBA sources: Data doesn't show link between injuries, missed calls - ESPN

PHOENIX — As WNBA officials face renewed criticism from coaches and players pointed at the level of physicality throughout the season, league sources told ESPN that their data does not show any correlation between the rash of recent playoff injuries and missed calls by officials.

WNBA Referee Operations reviews data throughout the season to address what league sources refer to as «legitimate criticism» and pinpoint areas officials need to improve on. Through that process, the referee operations committee found that allegations that officiating errors have led to more injuries were unfounded, league sources told ESPN.

There has been a public outcry from some top players and coaches demanding that the league address what they feel is poor officiating. Most recently, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was suspended after calling for a change of leadership on the league level surrounding who hires and assigns officials to games.

Reeve will serve the suspension during Game 4 of the Lynx's semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.

Reeve said it was «malpractice» for the WNBA to assign the three referees who worked Game 3, questioning their credentials after her star player, Napheesa Collier, was injured in the closing seconds when Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas collided with her after stealing the ball away from the MVP runner-up. No foul was called on the play.

On Sunday, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, who called out the officiating ahead of Game 1 of her team's semifinal series against the Indiana Fever, supported Reeve and her comments.

«From what I heard, she did not tell a lie. She said the truth,» Hammon said.

The same officiating crew that worked Game 3 in Phoenix is working Game 4 in Indiana on Sunday.

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