"It was meant to be for Liberty" - Sheryl Swoopes gets real on referee controversy in Liberty’s win over Lynx in WNBA Finals

NBRPA Legends Conference - Source: Getty
Sheryl Swoopes talked about the WNBA Finals' controversial officiating (Image credits: Getty)

Sheryl Swoopes and the rest of the WNBA community saw the season conclude on Sunday. Fans tuned in for Game 5 of the Finals, which ended in an overtime thriller with the New York Liberty winning. However, many questioned the officiating, as it seemed unfair against the Minnesota Lynx.

A significant amount of calls on the Lynx were left unnoticed by the referees. Due to the physicality of the game, the officials didn't get to call most of the fouls. Unfortunately, most of the uncalled fouls were on Minnesota's side, which has caused some controversy as players and coaches have ranted about it.

Following the Liberty's Game 5 win, former star Sheryle Swoopes shared her thoughts on the officiating during her appearance on "Gil's Arena."

"I think the officiating was awful the entire season," Swoopes said. "But even in the playoffs... Refs are always gonna mess up... I think refs are always going to be at a situation where we're never going to agree with all their calls, ever."
"And then you look at the free throws, Minnsota shot eight to New York's 25. I guess it was meant to be for the Liberty."

Lynx players and coaches weren't satisfied with the lack of foul calls they had. All-Star Napheesa Collier posted a series of photos on her Instagram account, commemorating the conclusion of their season. Fans noticed that the last three photos of her post showed the uncalled fouls that happened in Game 5.

Also read: Fans blast Sheryl Swoopes after Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell steal limelight at Pacers game: "There is still time to make amends"


Sheryl Swoopes addresses getting blamed for Caitlin Clark's ROTY voting

WNBA star Caitlin Clark almost got unanimously voted as the 2024 Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, there was one vote that prevented Clark from becoming a unanimous winner of the award. Fans were quick to blame Sheryl Swoopes, as she's had a history of criticizing the Indiana Fever guard.

During her appearance on the "Levels To This" podcast, Swoopes addressed the issue and revealed that she wasn't the reason Clark wasn't unanimously voted.

First of all, congratulations to Caitlin very well deserved. She had a hell of a rookie year doing things that just haven't been done by a rookie before," Swoopes said.
"But I hate to disappoint the people...You all cannot blame this one on me. I don't get a vote. I've never had a vote in any of the awards."

Swoopes continued to praise Clark after admitting that she didn't have a vote in any of the awards. She mentioned that the Fever star separated herself from the other rookies after the Olympic break. The former WNBA star went on to congratulate the former Iowa star for her impressive season.

Also read: Stephen A. Smith calls out Sheryl Swoopes and others for "resenting" Caitlin Clark despite her elevating WNBA

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Edited by Pritha Ghosh
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