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.''
