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Lynx Face Elimination Without Napheesa Collier as Cheryl Reeve Receives One-Game Suspension

The referees’ union publicly defended the decisive no-call that preceded Collier’s injury, intensifying scrutiny of playoff officiating.

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx and Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury battle for a loose ball during the first half of Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at PHX Arena on September 26, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Minnesota ruled Napheesa Collier out of Sunday’s Game 4 in Phoenix with a left ankle/foot injury sustained in the final seconds of Game 3.
  • The WNBA suspended head coach Cheryl Reeve for one game for aggressively confronting an official, delaying her exit, directing inappropriate comments at fans, and delivering an expletive-laden postgame tirade.
  • Assistants Rebekkah Brunson and Eric Thibault were fined, and Thibault will coach with the Lynx trailing the semifinal series 2–1 in a best-of-five.
  • The National Basketball Referees Association said Alyssa Thomas’ late strip was a legal play and that the ensuing leg contact was incidental after the ball was loose.
  • Collier, the MVP runner-up who logged rare 50/40/90 shooting in the regular season and strong playoff averages, leaves Minnesota shorthanded for a win-or-go-home Game 4 at 8 p.m. ET.