Cheryl Reeve criticizes physical play in Minnesota Lynx loss to Atlanta Dream

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve challenged her players to improve their physicality following an 89-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream. Reeve suggested the officiating allowed illegal levels of contact during the contest, though she also placed responsibility on her own roster for failing to force the issue at the rim. The defeat marks a two-game skid for Minnesota, which currently holds a 31-9 record and a two-game lead in the WNBA standings over the Golden State Valkyries. During the game, Angel Reese established a new WNBA single-season record with her 29th double-double, while Allisha Gray contributed 23 points for Atlanta. With the FIBA World Cup break approaching, the Lynx are scheduled to resume play against the New York Liberty on September 18. Reeve characterized the physical nature of the loss as necessary preparation for the upcoming postseason, where she expects contact levels to increase.

• 10:09 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Guarded In A Way That Should Be Illegal’: Cheryl Reeve Rips Dream’s Physical Play