The 2024 WNBA Finals was one of the most memorable series in league history. It will be remembered for the beauty of competition New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx brought to the court. It’ll be remembered for the record-breaking season it capped off. It’ll be remembered for Liberty finally, finally, getting their first championship. But you know what else it’ll be remembered for? Cheryl Reeve boldly claiming that her Lynx had the title stolen from them due to bad officiating. Well, as this year kicks off, it looks like the tables have turned. But one thing hasn’t changed – Cathy Engelbert is still right in the middle of all the heat.
So… we already know the Lynx came out swinging this year. Even without Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith, they completely handled Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings in their season opener. Napheesa Collier dropped a casual 34-point bomb and looked every bit the MVP contender. But Smith didn’t stay out for long.
The Lynx flew straight from Dallas to L.A. to take on their old rivals, the Sparks, and Smith was back in the starting lineup. From the opening tip, the Lynx made it very clear they weren’t playing around. Reeve had them out there causing chaos, swarming on defense and forcing early turnovers. Within minutes, they jumped to a quick 7-point lead. The defense was laser-locked on Kelsey Plum, who had just dropped a record 37 points in her own opener.
But while the Lynx defense was scary, it wasn’t perfect.
May 6, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of a WNBA pre-season game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Azurá Stevens came in hot, raining threes and scoring 12 of the Sparks’ first 17 points. The Sparks actually led by three at one point thanks to some strong paint work but that was as far as they got. In the second half, Minnesota’s offense just kept slicing up LA with sharp cuts and old-school high-low action. They led by as much as 16, but the Sparks didn’t go quietly. With 7:45 left, they clawed back to within five – twice. But every time they swung, the Lynx countered with something nastier.
The knockout punch was when Smith nailed her fourth triple of the night, and at the same time, Karlie Samuelson drew a loose ball foul on Plum. That four-point swing was absolutely deflating. It was game over after that. Lynx closed the game on a 14-5 run and sealed an 89-75 win on the road to go 2-0 on the season.
But here’s where things got messy. While fans were hyped about the Lynx’s second dub, some sharp-eyed folks online were pointing out missed backcourt violations. Guess who they say benefitted? The Lynx. The same team Reeve claimed was done dirty last season now being accused of getting favorable calls. But surprisingly, it’s not the team that fans are pointing fingers at.
Fans question Cathy Engelbert over officiating
When the WNBA dropped news about investigating alleged racist comments toward Angel Reese after the Fever vs. Sky game, fans didn’t just nod along. They clapped back. One comment straight up asked, “Can you investigate the refs too, Cathy? This is atrocious.”
Reese, who’d been met with boos all night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, became the center of a storm after the WNBA issued a statement condemning racism, hate, and discrimination. The league shared they were looking into fan behavior directed toward Reese during the Fever’s massive 93-58 win, especially as tensions between her and Caitlin Clark reached a boiling point mid-game.
And while that’s important, fans weren’t buying the selective action.Another fan jumped in, saying, “What ‘bout the booing during the free throw…that sounded bad…but is this okay for everyone?” Reese faced the loudest jeers when she stepped up for two free throws after Clark was whistled for a flagrant. But fans couldn’t help but notice that while the league is quick to investigate some things, officiating – something that has frustrated teams and viewers for years – barely gets a slap on the wrist.
And another fan didn’t hold back either as they wrote, “They’ll investigate anything but that.” While it surely has escalated in recent years, this isn’t a new problem. Back in the 2016 WNBA Finals, Cheryl Reeve called out the refs for a huge missed shot-clock violation that handed the Sparks a game-changing bucket.
It wasn’t reviewed, the Lynx lost, and only afterward did the league admit it was a mistake. Sure, there’s the REPS system now (Referee Engagement Performance System), but that’s all internal. Rarely do officiating decisions face formal investigations. Most of it gets swept into postgame statements and quiet internal reviews, which, fans, coaches, and players alike have called totally insufficient.
Can you investigate the refs too Cathy?
This is atrocious
— Vanshay Murdock (@VanshayM) May 18, 2025
“The W refs have been 5-10 years behind the speed and physicality of the game since the W’s inception,” another one added. The pace of the women’s game has changed. We’re talking faster transitions, trickier plays, and athletes who are stronger and quicker than ever. Officials can’t possibly catch it all with their eyes alone anymore. In the NBA, they’ve introduced Hawk-Eye tech to track every move with precision. Why not the W? If we’re evolving the game, shouldn’t the officiating evolve too? Many coaches have even called for a third-party review system to help correct game-turning mistakes. Imagine how that could’ve changed past outcomes.
One fan just chimed in at the end with a simple “Oh I also agree with you!” At this moment, fans aren’t just mad. They’re exhausted. Tired of watching the same old missed calls, seeing stars ake the heat, and not seeing any accountability on the other side. Maybe it’s time they take a hard look at the whistle.
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