A communication breakdown in the closing seconds of overtime has led the league to acknowledge its officials could have handled a critical moment better.

The WNBA issued a statement admitting shortcomings in how officials managed a timeout situation involving New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Dream.

“As part of our standard process when a team makes an inquiry, we have reviewed multiple video angles and available audio, and spoken with those involved.” said the WNBA in their statement. “It is clear on video and audio that Breanna Stewart asked Referee Kevin Fahy about the reset timeout.”

In the closing seconds of the Dream's 101-98 victory on Wednesday, Stewart and the Liberty believed they had been told they had no reset timeout remaining. Under league rules, teams receive two team timeouts and one reset timeout in overtime, with the reset allowing a team to advance the ball without a full sideline huddle. 

New York still had its reset available but didn't use it, leading to a desperation three-point attempt by Stewart that missed as time expired. Atlanta took a 2-0 series lead.

In their statement, as posted by Underdog WNBA on X, WNBA further gave their take on what transpired that led to this.

“At that moment, there were multiple overlapping conversations and non-verbal exchanges between the referees, game participants, and also Stewart with Liberty bench personnel, which led to a misunderstanding amongst the various parties. No further follow up is expected on the situation at this time.”

The statement effectively conceded that communication broke down and that officials needed to manage the exchange more clearly. It stopped short of declaring a definitive error that changed the outcome, but it acknowledged the referees' role in the confusion. 

Stewart's account of the exchange

Stewart explained postgame that she directly asked referee Kevin Fahy whether the team had a reset timeout. She said Fahy checked with crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens, was told no, and relayed that to her. 

Liberty coach Chris DeMarco and multiple staff members reported hearing the same thing. 

"This is not blaming the refs, but when I ask both refs if we have a reset timeout at the end and they tell us no, and then we leave the game with a reset timeout, it's pretty frustrating," Stewart said, as posted by CBS Sports.

An initial pool report from the officials contradicted her version. Cissoko-Stephens stated that Stewart was standing nearby when Fahy confirmed with a partner that New York still had the reset, and that no official told Liberty staff they were out of timeouts. 

However, video later released showed Stewart clearly asking Fahy about the reset during free throws by Atlanta's Angel Reese, supporting at least part of her account.

The episode overshadowed an otherwise competitive playoff game and left the Liberty facing elimination. While the league says the matter is closed, it has fueled ongoing discussion about officiating clarity in high-stakes moments and the challenges of real-time communication under pressure.

Do you think the league's admission goes far enough, or should the Liberty have received more accountability after this ending? 

Written by

Zaid Quraishi