The Minnesota Lynx entered the 2025 WNBA Playoffs as one of the most dominant teams in the league, finishing the regular season with a 34-10 record. After last year’s heartbreaking finals defeat against the New York Liberty, many believed this was finally their year. But instead of raising another banner, the Lynx found themselves sent home in the semifinals at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury.
Beyond the on-court disappointment, the biggest storyline to emerge from Minnesota’s exit has been the explosive feud between Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and WNBA referees. Now this controversy has drawn a sharp response from WNBA legend Candace Parker.
What Did Candace Parker Say Regarding Cheryl Reeve?
In the latest episode of the “Post Moves” podcast, co-hosts Parker and Aliyah Boston dove into the heated situation surrounding Reeve. The conversation centered on the fiery Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals when tensions between the Lynx and officials reached a breaking point.
Parker initially admitted that she felt bad for Reeve, given how the league punished her for speaking out. But Parker quickly shifted gears, noting that Reeve’s résumé, highlighted by four WNBA championships, made it difficult for her to sympathize fully.
“Guess what? She wanted that call… My mouth almost hit the floor when I was watching her postgame conference live… But she knew that there was no way the WNBA was going to let her coach the next game. There was absolutely no way after you sit up there, talk about it.”
“The officials being the game was malpractice, and that was, you know, the change was needed at the league level regarding it’s referee hiring and selection process, and how basically those three were some of the worst refs in the league. How were they in a WNBA semifinal game? I mean, I definitely don’t ever feel bad for Cheryl Reeve because she has what, four WNBA championships? So I don’t feel bad for her. But at the same time, I do,” said Parker during the podcast.
The feud itself erupted on September 27 during Game 3 against the Mercury. With just a few seconds left in regulation, Reeve charged at officials in outrage after a no-call on Napheesa Collier, who had taken a hard foul and suffered a leg injury that forced her out.
The scene escalated quickly and ended with Reeve being ejected. Her postgame press conference only poured fuel on the fire, as she unleashed an angry tirade and accused the officiating crew of committing “f*****g malpractice.”
The WNBA responded swiftly and firmly. Reeve was suspended for Game 4, the first time a coach has been suspended during the playoffs. The league also fined her a record-setting $15,000.
Supporting coaches Becky Hammon and Stephanie White, who had echoed her criticisms, were also fined $1,000 each. The penalties sparked widespread debate about officiating consistency and whether the league had gone too far in disciplining coaches.
On “Post Moves,” Parker didn’t stop thinking about Reeve’s suspension. She also expressed surprise at how the Lynx’s dominant regular-season form failed to carry over into the semifinals.
MORE: WNBA Legend Candace Parker Doesn’t ‘Feel Bad’ for Cheryl Reeve Over Her Recent Feud With Referees
“It’s crazy how so many things can become just unwired. I mean, the Lynx had an amazing season. They were number one in the league by a long shot,” added Parker during the podcast.
If we look at Game 4 specifically, the Lynx appeared to have the upper hand early on, leading by 11 points after the first quarter. At halftime, the score was even at 38-38. Although the Lynx scored a solid 30 points in the third quarter, their offensive production dramatically dipped in the fourth, as they scored just 13 points and fell to the Mercury (86-81).
The loss sealed Minnesota’s elimination and capped an abrupt end to what had once looked like a championship-caliber season. Now it remains to be seen how the league resolves these officiating issues after such a postseason controversy.
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