Remember last year when Cheryl Reeve made headlines for calling out the WNBA officials after Game 5 of the Finals? “This sh– was stolen from us,” she fumed after the Lynx were granted just eight free throws compared to the Liberty’s 25 – gap that left fans and coaches fired up. That kind of disparity helped New York walk away with the trophy, and Reeve didn’t hold back. But let’s be honest. Would she have said anything if the numbers were reversed? Probably not. Fast forward to this season, and the officiating drama hasn’t gone anywhere. Only now, it’s the Sky who are feeling the sting – this time, at the hands of the Lynx. Funny how the whistle turns, isn’t it?
It all comes up in a tightly contested 80–75 loss to the Lynx, Chicago, who had won two of their last three games despite missing Kamilla Cardoso, went toe-to-toe with one of the WNBA’s top teams. And while the scoreboard showed a close game, the postgame pressers told a deeper story, one filled with frustration and fury directed squarely at the officiating.
“It’s tough when you talk to officials and I ask them, ‘Hey, (why) we only shot two free throws. We only missed a free throw…’ She tells me it’s not her job,” Reese told the media during her press conference. “So I know it’s frustrating, because I know how hard we’re battling inside, and I think that we came down and fought as hard as we could with what we had.
And honestly, she’s not exaggerating because the Chi-Town Barbie put up 16 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists, grinding under the basket the entire night. Yet despite her dominance, the Sky as a team attempted just eight free throws. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Phee went a perfect 7-for-7 from the line, with 11 of the Lynx’s 17 total attempts coming in the fourth quarter alone. And considering that Reese kept getting attacked and yet there were several no-calls, it only makes sense why Reese went on an expletive-laden rant.
“And I think it’s a leaping step for us, and obviously we know obviously we know we can compete with the best, but that has to be fixed, and I don’t give a (expletive) if I get a fine, because that (expletive) cheap. And I am tired of the shit because I’ve been nice and I’ve been humble with it, but I am tired of the (expletive),” Reese said, making it clear that she is not going to hold back because of possible ‘fines’.
Jul 6, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) interacts with the referee after a call against her in the first quarter against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Well, that late-game swing at the stripe gave Minnesota the exact boost they needed when it mattered most, and that’s precisely where the frustration boils over. “It’s hard to imagine that we would only have eight free throws with the amount of opportunities we have in the paint,” said HC Tyler Marsh. “I know that Kamilla, Elizabeth, and Angel receive a lot of contact down there. For us to not get to the line more than that is frustrating.”
A lot of contact, Marsh said, and he is correct. It was clear from this moment that a fan shared online, capturing Bridget Carleton getting a little too personal with Angel Reese during a rebound battle. Carleton’s arm was hooked around Reese’s waist, raising more than a few eyebrows. Reese didn’t need a long caption to express how she felt. She chimed in with just one word: “Diabolical.”
So, while Sky dominated the paint and the glass, Reese tallied yet another monster double-double, Elizabeth Williams added 12 points and 7 boards, and Michaela Onyenwere, along with Rachel Banham, chipped in with strong support, it wasn’t enough. Even though the Lynx committed more fouls (17) than the Sky (16), the disparity in free-throw attempts, 17 for Minnesota and only eight for Chicago, spoke volumes.
That imbalance triggered Marsh’s postgame frustration, but it was Reese who set the tone with her explosive comments. Their postgame reality check summed one thing up perfectly: the Sky are third in the league at scoring in the paint, but somehow only 10th in free throws attempted. So, clearly, they’re getting mugged in the paint, as the whistle’s hit snooze.
And this isn’t the first time Reese has spoken up. Just weeks ago, after a 92-85 win over the LA Sparks, where she dominated with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists, Reese made headlines again, not just for her play, but for her fury. After heavy contact went uncalled late in the game, she confronted a referee and was slapped with her fifth technical foul of the season, possibly setting up a $400 fine under league rules. But yes, Reese isn’t alone in her frustration!
Enough is enough, but where’s the line for W’s refereeing?
Well, officiating in the WNBA is under a brighter, more intense spotlight than ever before, and not in a flattering way. It’s because, from Stephanie White’s blunt criticism of how Caitlin Clark has been officiated to Kelsey Plum venting about getting just six free throws despite taking heavy contact all game, the message is loud and clear: the problem is systemic.
“I drive more than anyone in the league, so to shoot six free throws is [expletive] absurd,” Plum said, visibly frustrated as she pointed to the scratches on her face and body. “I get fouled like that every possession… I’m sick of it,” she added after the Aces’ 89–81 loss to the Sparks.
And it’s not just about wins and losses anymore. With the league growing in viewership, media coverage, and star power, the stakes are higher than ever. As Sabrina Ionescu noted, “In the WNBA, star players don’t always get the same treatment.” And she’s right, Reese’s rage, Clark’s confusion, Plum’s bruises, and Cheryl Reeve’s repeated protests are all signs of a deeper officiating crisis that’s threatening to overshadow the product on the court.
But what makes this even more glaring is that the league itself seems to recognize the issue, though in a twisted manner. As WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert admitted, “There’s always room for growth and improvement in officiating.” But the solution isn’t too easy, as she added, ” No winning team ever complains about officiating; no losing team ever doesn’t.” And yes, there’s truth to that, too. Just look at how quiet Reeve tends to be when the calls benefit her team. What do you think?
The post “Don’t Give a Damn”: Angel Reese Reveals On-Court Conversation With WNBA Ref That Left Her Frustrated vs Lynx appeared first on EssentiallySports.