Lynx coach Sherrill Reeve confronts Suns players after team's celebration over Game 1: Sources

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, a four-time WNBA coach of the year and four-time champion, confronted Connecticut Sun players near the locker room after Game 1 of the team's semifinal series Sunday, league sources said.

Reeve clashed with Suns players as they walked into the opponent's locker room in Minneapolis, with the 2024 coach and executive of the year questioning how Connecticut celebrated its series-opening victory, sources said.

He “ran” into the Suns players, as a source briefed on the incident, and required arena security to break up the scene.

The WNBA did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. Sources from both teams said the league is aware of the incident.

“As the players always say, it's really competitive,” Reeve said after Minnesota's Game 3 win. “Really competitive people. It's the playoffs.”

Suns coach Stephanie White said Friday that she was not present during the scrimmage after Game 1.

“That was a week ago,” White said. “I have no comment on that.”

Game 1 of the Lynx-Sun series came down to the final possession as Minnesota star Nafeesa Collier missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with the second remaining in the contest. As it ended, Connecticut star Alyssa Thomas flexed, screamed and walked toward her team's sideline in victory.

Thomas finished one assist short of a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in Connecticut's win.

“We had to be disruptive,” White said after Game 1. “We had to try to force them into foul shots and realize they were going to make foul shots, and when they did, we didn't let it get to us. Down.”

Through two games, the series has been heavily lopsided between the two teams, whose regular-season meetings were decided by a combined four points. At one point in the second game, Suns guard Marina Mabrey collided with Lynx guard Bridget Carlton for a foul early in the second quarter, sticking her leg out to trip Carlton.

Later in the second quarter, Mabrey dove for a loose ball and landed on top of Collier, who pushed Mabrey away. Lynx forward Mysha Hines-Allen then stepped in for Collier, pushing aside Mabrey. Minnesota guard Kayla McBride later drew a technical in Game 2 after fouling Mabrey following a made basket.

“We had an aggression about us that was necessary,” Reeve said after Minnesota's 77-70 Game 2 win. “When you play these guys, you have to be physically and mentally tough, because they sure are.”

The Lynx won Game 3, 90-81, to take a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 on Sunday.