The highly criticized no-call by WNBA referees in the last minute of the Mercury’s 84-76 victory over the Lynx in Game 3 of the semifinals on Friday night has now been officially approved by NBA officials.
Napheesa Collier, a star for the Lynx, grabbed a ball near the top of the perimeter and began working to her left with 27 seconds remaining in a four-point game. Alyssa Thomas, a forward for Mercury, took charge and pried the ball loose, resulting in a simple fast-break layup and an 82-76 advantage.
The experienced coach came onto the floor to protest after being removed by Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who was incensed.
This is NOT a foul. Thomas legally gets to the ball and knocks the ball loose prior to any contact. The leg to leg contact is incidental once the ball is clearly loose. This was correctly judged in real time as a no call as were the subsequent technical fouls. pic.twitter.com/kdImDRwsNe
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) September 27, 2025
Well NBA Reffs do back the WNBA ones on this one. You be the judge of who’s right.
