Cheryl Reeve criticizes physical play in Minnesota Lynx loss to Atlanta Dream
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 1:44 AM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
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.
- •The Atlanta Dream defeated the Minnesota Lynx 89-81.
- •Angel Reese recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds for her 29th double-double of the season.
- •Allisha Gray scored a game-high 23 points and made six three-pointers for the Dream.
- •Olivia Miles led the Minnesota scoring effort with 21 points.
- •The Minnesota Lynx maintain a 31-9 record and sit at the top of the WNBA standings.
- 1:44 AMYahoo Sports — Cheryl Reeve's complaint doubles as warning for Lynx before WNBA playoffs
- 9:36 AMYahoo Sports — Cheryl Reeve says WNBA teams are using an ‘illegal’ tactic against the Lynx
- 10:09 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Guarded In A Way That Should Be Illegal’: Cheryl Reeve Rips Dream’s Physical Play
"Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words after Minnesota’s loss to the Atlanta Dream. The Minnesota Lynx hit a major bump in the road with an 89-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream, getting completely outmuscled in a game Atlanta dictated from the opening tip.
"Cheryl Reeve criticized the physicality in Minnesota’s loss to Atlanta, but her comments also identified a potential Lynx weakness before the playoffs.
"Cheryl Reeve calls out the officiating and demands more force from her Lynx after a bruising loss to the Dream.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 1:44 AMCheryl Reeve's complaint doubles as warning for Lynx before WNBA playoffs
Cheryl Reeve criticized the physicality in Minnesota’s loss to Atlanta, but her comments also identified a potential Lynx weakness before the playoffs.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 9:36 AMCheryl Reeve says WNBA teams are using an ‘illegal’ tactic against the Lynx
Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words after Minnesota’s loss to the Atlanta Dream. The Minnesota Lynx hit a major bump in the road with an 89-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream, getting completely outmuscled in a game Atlanta dictated from the opening tip.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 10:09 AM‘Guarded In A Way That Should Be Illegal’: Cheryl Reeve Rips Dream’s Physical Play
Cheryl Reeve calls out the officiating and demands more force from her Lynx after a bruising loss to the Dream.
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