After Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas poked the ball loose from Napheesa Collier, Cheryl Reeve’s patience snapped. That play led to the Lynx star getting severely injured and walking off in tears. Reeve exploded after the bucket, sprinting onto the floor and needing to be held back as she lit into an official. She was ejected and carried that fire into the press conference. “The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semi-finals playoff worthy, is f—ing malpractice,” said Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve in her 2-minute rant after a dramatic loss. 

Those expletive-filled quotes were met with a firm NBA response. “This is NOT a foul. Thomas legally gets to the ball and knocks the ball loose prior to any contact,” wrote the NBA Referees account, and the league went on to suspend Reeve for Game 4 due to her “conduct and comments.” 

So there won’t be Reeve or Collier for the Lynx in Game 4. On the other side, Nate Tibbets remains the only one who hasn’t complained about the referees in the playoffs. “We haven’t talked about the officiating all playoffs. We just play and we’re worried about us,” Tibbetts said. However, while they don’t complain, the officiating will eventually affect them, too. Let’s find out who the referees will be for the pivotal Game 4. 

Which Referees Are Assigned to the Lynx vs Mercury Semifinals Game 4?

The WNBA has announced the officiating crew for Game 4 of the Semifinals between the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury:

• Crew Chief: Roy Gulbeyan

• Referee: Fatou Cissoko-Stephens 

• Umpire: Amy Bonner (data not available)
• Alternate: Kevin Fahy

Why Do Officials Matter in the Lynx vs Mercury Semifinals?

With the series on the line, every whistle could play a role in deciding who advances. Game 3 saw Napheesa Collier, one of the most paint-heavy players in the league, get no free throws, something Reeve pointed out after the game. “One of the best players in the league shot zero free throws,” she said. Collier was dealt with physical defense throughout the game and “got her shoulder pulled out, and finished the game with her leg being taken out, and probably has a fracture,” according to Reeve.

The Lynx have the lowest free throws attempted in the postseason at 12 per game, while the Mercury are at 14.8 per game. In this series, it’s even lower for the Lynx, getting 8.7 free throws per game while the Mercury have been given 13.0 per game (which supports Reeve’s point). Even without Reeve on the court, the tensions will be high, and officials are essential to take control of the situation to prevent any major escalations. 

Where and How to Watch Lynx vs Mercury Semifinals Game 4?

Time: 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)

Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix)

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN Unlimited, WNBA League Pass

Final Thoughts: What to Expect in Lynx vs Mercury Semifinals Game 4

One thing guaranteed to happen in game 4 is that every call will have a magnified look from the fans, analysts, players, and the commentators. The referee crew of Roy Gulbeyan, Fatou Cissoko-Stephens, Amy Bonner, and Kevin Fahy will be under extra pressure to deliver correct calls. Reeve and Collier out means Lynx are shorthanded on the sidelines on the court. However, the Lynx have plenty more weapons to hurt Phoenix. Alyssa Thomas and Co. have the best chance to close out the series. A home game means the crowd will be behind them (something which frustrated Cheryl Reeve) while facing a weakened Lynx.