NBA stars think referees ‘cheated’ on Liberty at the end of the WNBA Finals

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wasn’t the only one upset about the performance in Sunday’s 67-62 overtime loss to the Liberty in the decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

NBA stars, including Lakers forward LeBron James and Bucks guard Damian Lillard, called out referees amid online outrage over a foul call on Lynx center Alanna Smith with 5.2 seconds left in regulation time – what came before set up Liberty star Breanna Stewart’s two free throw attempts to tie the game and set up overtime.

‘I’m sorry, but that wasn’t a foul! Let those damn players dictate the outcome of a closely fought, tested game,” James wrote on X.

“Refs called this play like they knew the assignment in the 2nd half, boy. Great game,” wrote Damian Lillard.

Former NBA guard Isaiah Thomas said, “They cheated quietly for New York, but I understand lol.”

Three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker, who announced her retirement from basketball in April, also weighed in.

“Was that assessed error an error? I don’t think so,” she wrote. “Marginal contact.”

Parker added, “That call didn’t lose the game, but it would probably win it for Minny if it was overturned.”

Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin also called the officiating official.

“Refs sold wow…,” Austin wrote on X.

“I need any prayer. New York had no limits,” she added in another post with a bunch of crying emojis.

Reeve was furious after the game, saying the 2024 WNBA title was “stolen” from the Lynx because of his actions.

“I saw a very physical and aggressive New York team,” Reeve said in her post-match press conference. “We know this because we’ve been part of the games for so long that sometimes you can get away with things like this if you’re physical and aggressive, and they certainly did that. It’s a shame that the officiating has played such a role in a series like this.’

“…I found today incredibly disappointing. The Challenge: We need to change our challenge rules. The referees officiating the play must have a third party because that was not a foul.

Reeve explained that the call decided the game.

“That call should have been overturned in that challenge… If we had turned in that clip, they would have told us it was a marginal contact, not a mistake,” she said. “Guaranteed. Guaranteed.”