INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The WNBA has fined Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve for her coat-throwing outburst following a technical foul during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against Indiana.
WNBA director of communications Ron Howard confirmed the fine Friday, hours before Game 3 between the Lynx and Fever in Indianapolis. He would not disclose the amount.
During Wednesday’s game, Minnesota’s Lindsay Whalen was issued a technical foul after complaining about a no-call. Reeve got one, too, and she then took off her suit coat and threw it so hard that a trainer later evaluated her right shoulder.
Indiana coach Lin Dunn said Thursday that she thought Reeve deserved a second technical and automatic ejection. Reeve stayed, and the Lynx won the game 83-71 to tie the best-of-five series at 1-1.
“I guess the thing that concerns me is that after she got her first technical, then she proceeded to take her jacket off, throw her jacket,” Dunn said. “In my opinion, that should have been reason for a second technical and removal, and they (the officials) did not do that, and of course, she was able to incite the crowd.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that her behavior after the first technical warranted ejection, and I was very disappointed that the officials allowed her to in some ways, you know, just kind of a lack of respect for the game and lack of respect for them. I was disappointed in the whole affair.”
Dunn also took exception to Reeve’s halftime speech, during which she directed her players to use their elbows in the second half.
“When you go to the basket, I want an elbow out,” Reeve said in a speech that was televised. “I want them to collapse their arms on you because you’re sticking an elbow in their chest.”
Dunn learned of the speech after the game and was shocked: “I’ve never heard a coach say that publicly before _ lead with your elbow, they’re not calling it.”
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