Image Credit - Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cheryl Reeve Suspended For One Game After Outburst in Lynx Semifinal Playoff Loss to Phoenix Mercury

Reeve sidelined as Lynx face elimination in semifinals

Image Credit - Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Lynx will be without head coach Cheryl Reeve for Game 4 of their semifinal playoff series against the Phoenix Mercury.

The WNBA announced Saturday that Cheryl Reeve has been suspended one game for her behavior during the Mercury’s 84-76 win in Game 3 at PHX Arena. Phoenix now leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can clinch a trip to the WNBA Finals with another victory.

According to the league’s statement, Reeve’s suspension followed “aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection at 21.8 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and remarks made in the postgame press conference.”

Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Suspended pic.twitter.com/RgBAwRwOZa
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) September 27, 2025

Cheryl Reeve was assessed her second technical foul late in the game and ejected after arguing with an official. The confrontation came moments after Napheesa Collier, the Minnesota Lynx’s 2025 MVP runner-up, had the ball stolen by Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, who converted a layup to extend the lead to 82-76. Collier was injured on the play, though no foul was called.

Two of Reeve’s assistants, Eric Thibault and Rebekkah Brunson, were fined for their conduct. Thibault was cited for “inappropriate interaction with an official on the court” following Reeve’s ejection. Brunson was fined for posting “an inappropriate social media comment directed at WNBA officials.”

Collier was seen after the game using a scooter to nurse her injured left leg. The “NBA Referees” account on X later posted video of the play, stating that Thomas’s steal was legal and that the incidental leg contact did not merit a foul.

Cheryl Reeve Calls for Change

In her postgame comments, Reeve openly criticized the officiating and said she wanted a “change in leadership” from the league. She also suggested Collier “probably has a fracture” in her leg but did not specify further.

Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m. at PHX Arena, with ESPN carrying the broadcast. The Mercury can advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021 with a win.