Without a doubt, Game 3 of the playoff semifinal series between the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury has been one to talk about. Cheryl Reeve’s team could not defeat their rivals as visitors at PHX Arena and fell 84-76.
However, what stole the show was the unfortunate injury to Lynx star Napheesa Collier near the end of the game. In this regard, the NBA referees issued their official ruling on this controversial play.
Bad news for Collier
The Lynx were the favorites to win the championship this year, but after Game 3, things seem to have gone awry for the team.
With almost 30 seconds left in the game, the Lynx continued to fight for the win. Napheesa controlled the ball, but the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas stole the ball and made a layup, making the score 82-76. However, Collier fell to the floor with obvious pain in her ankle.
This infuriated the Minnsota coach, who stormed onto the court, furious with the referees believing it was an undetected foul against “Phee.” But because Reeve received a technical foul at the start and after her anger, she received a new penalty, resulting in her ejection.
Some fans were also upset with this decision, however, from the official X account of the NBA referees shared their verdict: Thomas did not commit a foul.
“This is NOT a foul,” the post reads. “Thomas legally gets to the ball and knocks the ball loose before any contact. The leg-to-leg contact is incidental once the ball is clearly loose. This was correctly judged in real time as a no call, as were the subsequent technical fouls.”
Despite this, and unfortunately for Collier, Reeve told reporters after the game that the 29-year-old forward “probably has a fracture.” If so, she would be ruled out for Game 4 against the Mercury. However, the team has yet to issue an official statement.
As if this were not enough, Cheryl will not be able to join them in Game 4 either, as the WNBA announced that she will be suspended for one game for her “conduct and comments”.
As visitors, without their star player and coach, the game on Sunday, September 28 will be more than decisive for the team, since one more loss would eliminate them directly from the Playoffs.
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