Angel Reese Questions the Officiating in the WNBA
Chicago Sky player Angel Reese has joined the voices criticizing the officiating in the WNBA, expressing her frustration after her team’s loss against the Minnesota Lynx. Reese, visibly annoyed, stated that the officiating “has to be fixed” and that she is “tired of this shit.” Her comments came after Sunday’s game, where the Sky only had eight free throws, compared to the Lynx’s 17. It’s frustrating because I know how hard we’re fighting inside, and I think we gave it our best with what we had, and I know we’re still growing in this. Reese continued her criticism on social media, using an acronym for an expletive and demanding the WNBA to “DO BETTER”. This incident adds to the recent criticisms from other figures in the league, such as Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White, and Los Angeles Sparks player Kelsey Plum, who have also questioned the performance of the referees in different games. Kelsey Plum, for her part, expressed her discontent after a game where she received few free throws: “I drive more than anyone in the league, so shooting six free throws is crazy. I have scratches on my face, I have scratches on my body, and these defenses of the other team get these insignificant fouls, and I’m fed up… I don’t know what I need to do. I’ve spoken kindly to the referees, I pray before the game, fuck, I’m already fed up.” On June 17, White blamed the officials for losing control of a Commissioner’s Cup game against the Connecticut Sun, which led to several disputes.When the officials don’t control the game, when they allow that to happen, and it’s been happening all season, not just in this game, this is what happens, right?… You could say this was going to happen. So, [the officials] have to control it, they have to be better.
Stephanie White
