Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Injured, Coach Cheryl Reeve Ejected

In a high-stakes WNBA semifinal, the Minnesota Lynx faced a wild night that could shake up their championship dreams. The matchup with the Phoenix Mercury spiraled into chaos, featuring the ejection of Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and a tough injury for Napheesa Collier.

Officiating drew major heat, with fans and coaches questioning the league’s management and what’s next for WNBA refs. The tension in the arena was almost palpable.

The Controversial Game 3

The Lynx, holding the top seed, fell 84-76 to the Mercury in Game 3 of the semifinals. The real dagger landed in the final 30 seconds, when Alyssa Thomas picked Collier’s pocket and raced down the court to seal the win for Phoenix.

Cheryl Reeve’s Explosive Reaction

Coach Cheryl Reeve got tossed after a fiery confrontation with the refs. She was already upset about a no-call on Collier, then stormed at the officials, forcing her assistants and a player to hold her back.

The second technical foul sent her out of the game. Afterward, Reeve didn’t hold back, lacing her postgame remarks with frustration and some choice words, demanding big changes in officiating leadership.

Napheesa Collier’s Injury

Things got worse for Minnesota when Napheesa Collier went down with what looked like a nasty ankle injury during that controversial play. Collier, runner-up for 2025 WNBA MVP, left the floor in tears and never came back.

Reeve later suggested Collier “probably has a fracture,” which, let’s be honest, could crush the team’s title chances.

Officiating Under Fire

Reeve’s anger at the refs wasn’t some isolated meltdown. Other coaches throughout the playoffs have complained about the rough style officials allow.

This game’s crew—Isaac Barnett, Randy Richardson, and Jenna Reneau—have plenty of WNBA experience, even working last year’s Finals. Still, that didn’t stop the criticism.

League-Level Concerns

Reeve’s postgame rant wasn’t just about one game. She called for a shakeup in league leadership on officiating, calling what she saw “f—ing malpractice.”

Her words have definitely sparked a wider debate about how the WNBA handles officiating. The league can’t really ignore it much longer, can they?

Historical Context

Honestly, this isn’t the first time Reeve’s gone after the officials. After Game 5 of last year’s Finals, she said the title was “stolen” from her team.

She didn’t get fined for those comments, at least according to league sources. Reeve’s not shy about speaking her mind, that’s for sure.

Impact on the Series

The Game 3 loss puts Minnesota on the edge of elimination. The Lynx have been grinding to get back to the championship round after falling to the Liberty last year.

Phoenix, meanwhile, looks gritty and determined as the fourth seed. It’s definitely not going to be an easy path for the Lynx from here.

Key Performances

Phoenix leaned on big nights from Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper—each dropped over 20 points. Sabally led the way with 23, including a massive 15 in the fourth quarter.

This kind of scoring balance has carried Phoenix through the series. They just keep finding ways to spread the load.

Statistical Disparities

Stats from the game only fueled the controversy. Minnesota shot just 11 free throws, while Phoenix got 22.

Lynx assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson vented about it on social media, and honestly, who could blame her?