Referee Controversy Tarnishes Storm’s Loss to Sparks
After the close defeat in double overtime of the Seattle Storm against the Los Angeles Sparks, coach Noelle Quinn expressed her frustration with the refereeing, especially in relation to personal fouls.Quinn pointed out that the lack of free throws for Diggins was unacceptable, considering the time the player was on the court. The Storm team only got 19 free throws, while the Sparks got 25. This situation adds to a pattern that, according to Quinn, has affected the team since the beginning of the season. The coach, who has not yet received any technical foul, expressed her intention to take measures to defend her players. The coach also questioned a referee’s decision in a coach’s challenge with less than a minute left in regulation time. Despite the replays, the referees did not change the decision, which, according to Quinn, reflected a lack of respect. The play in question could have given the Storm a three-point lead, but the Sparks tied the score and forced overtime. The game, which went to double overtime, was the first of the season in the WNBA to reach this stage. The Sparks took the victory, while the Storm seeks to secure their home advantage in the first round of the playoffs.“Sky played 43 minutes and didn’t shoot any free throws. It’s ridiculous,” Quinn stated, referring to Skylar Diggins.
Noelle Quinn
