Storm: Quinn Explodes Over Refereeing After Double Overtime Loss

Referee Controversy Shakes Seattle Storm After Loss to Los Angeles Sparks

Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn expressed her frustration after her team’s 108-106 double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Quinn’s main complaint centered on the officiating, specifically the lack of free throws awarded to team star Skylar Diggins.

Sky played 43 minutes and didn’t take a single free throw. It’s ridiculous. Maybe I have to come here and get fined and rant so we get respect and consistency. That’s all I want. I’m not a coach who complains often, but I see what happens when people come here and do it, so now I’m going to do it.

Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm coach

Diggins, who played 43 minutes in the match, did not attempt any free throws, despite taking 20 field shots. Quinn described the situation as “ridiculous” and pointed out that this lack of free throws is a pattern that has been occurring since the beginning of the season. The game on Friday was the second time this season that Diggins didn’t attempt a free throw. The first time was last week, when he scored only five points. Quinn’s frustration was not limited to the refereeing decisions regarding Diggins, but also included a coach’s review in which possession was not awarded to the Storm. Quinn expressed his disappointment at what he considers a lack of respect for his hard-working team, which deserves consistent officiating. The Storm’s coach pointed out that the team in general is not looking for fouls to go to the free throw line, but rather they are simply trying to play basketball and are not being rewarded for it.

Storm guard Skylar Diggins scored 18 points but did not attempt a free throw in the 43 minutes of the double overtime game against the Sparks on Friday night.In the game, the Storm only shot 19 free throws, compared to Los Angeles’ 25. The situation worsened when the referees did not award possession to the Storm at a crucial moment in the game, despite replays suggesting that the ball had touched a Sparks player. This setback, combined with the lack of free throws for Diggins, contributed to the Storm’s defeat in an exciting match that extended to two overtime periods. Despite the loss, Quinn praised Nneka Ogwumike’s performance, who scored 37 points and reached 7,000 career points.