Angel Reese Criticizes WNBA Officials for Lack of Free Throws After Sky’s Loss to Lynx

The Chicago Sky’s 2025 season has been a challenging one, with the team’s recent 80-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx highlighting ongoing issues with officiating. Despite leading by 14 points after the first quarter, the Sky’s performance faltered, and they ultimately lost the game. The frustration was palpable, especially for star player Angel Reese, who voiced her concerns about the lack of free throws awarded to her team.

The Chicago Sky began the game against the Minnesota Lynx with a strong showing, leading 24-10 after the first quarter. This promising start seemed to set the stage for a potential victory. However, the Lynx, the league’s top team, steadily chipped away at the Sky’s lead. By the fourth quarter, the Lynx had taken the lead and never relinquished it, securing their win with a final score of 80-75.

Angel Reese, who contributed 16 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists in the game, was particularly vocal about her frustration. She felt that the Sky’s offense was stifled due to a lack of calls, allowing the Lynx to get away with more physicality on defense. Reese believes this has been a recurring issue throughout the season.

In her postgame interview, Reese expressed her exasperation with the WNBA referees, stating, “It’s tough when you talk to officials and I ask them, ‘Hey, we only shot two — we only been to the free throw line twice,’ up until the fourth quarter and she tells me it’s not her job.” She emphasized the hard-fought battles inside the paint and the need for better officiating. Reese’s strong words, “I don’t give a damn if I get fined because that shit is cheap and I’m tired of this shit,” underscored her deep frustration.

The disparity in free throw attempts between the Lynx and the Sky was significant. The Lynx had 17 attempts, while the Sky managed only 8. This discrepancy is part of a larger trend in basketball officiating, affecting both men’s and women’s leagues. The Sky’s reliance on their bigs for scoring means they face more contact, which often goes uncalled. This trend is particularly challenging for a team without elite guard play to draw fouls more frequently.

The issue of officiating is not unique to the WNBA. Across basketball, there is a noticeable trend where more contact is allowed against bigs compared to smaller guards. This trend affects teams like the Sky, who rely heavily on their bigs for scoring. Without elite guard play to draw fouls, the Sky are at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to free throw attempts.

Q: Why did Angel Reese criticize the WNBA officials? A: Angel Reese criticized the WNBA officials for the lack of free throws awarded to her team, the Chicago Sky. She felt that the officials allowed the Minnesota Lynx to get away with more physicality on defense, which hindered the Sky’s offense.

Q: How did the game progress after the first quarter? A: The Chicago Sky led 24-10 after the first quarter but saw their lead diminish as the Minnesota Lynx steadily closed the gap. The Lynx took the lead early in the fourth quarter and held on to win 80-75.

Q: What is the broader context of the officiating issue? A: The officiating issue is part of a larger trend in basketball where more contact is allowed against bigs compared to smaller guards. This trend affects teams like the Sky, who rely on their bigs for scoring, leading to fewer free throw attempts.

Q: What are the potential consequences for Angel Reese’s comments? A: Angel Reese’s strong words are likely to result in a fine from the WNBA. While her comments highlight a significant issue in officiating, they are not likely to help her cause and may lead to further scrutiny.

Angel Reese’s criticism of the WNBA officials brings to light a significant issue in basketball officiating. The disparity in free throw attempts and the allowance of more contact against bigs are problems that affect teams like the Chicago Sky. While Reese’s frustration is understandable, her comments may lead to a fine. The broader context of officiating trends in basketball underscores the need for a more balanced approach to calling fouls, ensuring that all players, regardless of their position, are treated fairly on the court.