The Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx faced off in Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal series on Friday, with reports of tension behind the scenes surfacing.
According to Ben Pickman and Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve confronted Sun players near the locker room following Connecticut’s victory in Game 1. Reeve, a four-time WNBA champion and Coach of the Year, reportedly took issue with the way the Sun celebrated their win.
One witness stated that Reeve approached the Sun players aggressively, requiring Target Center security to intervene and calm the situation.
Although it’s unclear what specifically triggered Reeve, there was no clear provocation on the court. While DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas celebrated the win with enthusiastic screams, it was not directed towards any Lynx players.
Subsequently, both teams gathered on the court while Reeve exchanged handshakes with Sun coach Stephanie White before heading towards the tunnel near the Sun huddle. Not all interactions are captured on camera, particularly those that occur off the court.
The reported confrontation likely contributed to the intensity of Game 2, which saw a physical battle resulting in a victory for the Lynx with a strong defensive performance.
Reeve holds the title of the longest-tenured coach in the WNBA, with immense influence in the league. She recently led the U.S. national team to gold medals in both the Olympics and FIBA World Cup, where Alyssa Thomas was a team member.
While all eyes may be on the WNBA Finals rematch between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, the Sun-Lynx series has its own intensity. Both teams ranked highest in defensive rating during the regular season and boast veteran talent like Collier, Thomas, and Bonner.
Game 4 is set for Sunday in Connecticut, with the time yet to be determined.
