The New York Liberty just grabbed their first-ever WNBA championship, but instead of champagne showers and endless celebrations, they’ve been hit with a downpour of controversy. While the team’s talent is undeniable—shoutout to the All-Star squad featuring Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart—people aren’t talking about their skills. Nope, it’s all about the referees and their “stellar” work in making this series an absolute rollercoaster of questionable calls.
The Minnesota Lynx, on the other hand, are walking away feeling like they got robbed faster than a tourist in Times Square. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t even try to hide her frustration. In her post-game rant, which was probably more satisfying than any therapy session, she let the world know just how she felt about the officiating. And trust me, she didn’t hold back.
“All the headlines will say ‘Reeve calls foul,’ so bring it on,” she fumed. “Because this s**t was stolen from us.”
Enter Robert Horry: The Man, The Myth, The Empathy Machine
And just when you thought things couldn’t get spicier, seven-time NBA champ Robert Horry had to chime in. During his Big Shot Bob Podcast, Horry—who knows a thing or two about controversial wins—agreed that something felt off in this series. With co-hosts Rob Jenner and Brandon Harper nodding along like bobbleheads, Horry didn’t mince words when it came to the Liberty’s performance.
“Sabrina Ionescu? Man, she shot 1 for 19,” Horry said, wincing like someone who just watched a bad horror movie. “But somehow, they still won.”
Think about it: one of the league’s brightest stars had a night so bad, it’ll probably be used as an example in future coaching nightmares. Yet here we are, celebrating a Liberty win. Even Horry, a man who’s hit more clutch shots than most of us have had hot dinners, empathized with the Lynx’s brutal battle.
The “Stolen” Moment That’ll Live in Infamy
The whole controversy comes down to a single foul with 5.2 seconds left. The Lynx were leading 60-58, clinging to the championship like it was a winning lottery ticket. But then, plot twist!—Lynx center Alanna Smith got called for a foul on Breanna Stewart, who casually walked to the free-throw line like she wasn’t about to decide the fate of an entire season.
Stewart, despite previously bricking two free throws in key moments, suddenly remembered she’s one of the best in the game and drained both shots to tie it up. Overtime. Cue the drama. The Lynx challenged the call, of course, but the refs stuck to their guns after video review, and the Liberty eventually pulled off a 67-62 win.
Did They Deserve It? Maybe. Will People Be Talking About This for Years? Absolutely.
In the end, the Liberty might have a shiny new trophy, but the real winners here are the conspiracy theorists who now have plenty to talk about. Was the game rigged? Did the refs gift-wrap this championship for New York? And most importantly, can Sabrina Ionescu shoot better than 1 for 19 ever again?