WNBA Addresses Liberty Timeout Controversy After Dream's Game 2 Win in Semifinal Bracket

The WNBA says a "misunderstanding" led to New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart saying she was incorrectly informed about whether her team had a reset timeout remaining late in a Game 2 semifinals loss to the Atlanta Dream.

Stewart said after the game she had been told by referees the Liberty did not have the option to reset shortly before her team conceded a 101-98 overtime loss without having taken the timeout.

A WNBA spokesperson said in a statement provided to ESPN's Alexa Philippou it was "clear on video and audio" Stewart had asked official Kevin Fahy about the timeout.

Cunningham's Take on Timeout Controversy 🤬

"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," the WNBA spokesperson said, per Philippou.

"Our referees can certainly handle these interactions better and have been given that feedback. No further follow up is expected on the situation at this time."

Video footage captured by ESPN shared by the New York Post showed Stewart talking to an official as the Dream's Angel Reese was preparing to take free throws with 4.3 seconds left in overtime, then later turning to address the Liberty's bench.

The WNBA introduced reset timeouts, which allows teams to make substitutions and advance to the frontcourt but not huddle, ahead of the 2024 season. Teams are entitled to one reset timeout in the final two minutes of either a fourth quarter or overtime period, according to the league .

Stewart initially told reporters she had asked Fahy if her team had a reset timeout, and he had told her he was "going to check at the table."

She said Fahy then looked to referee Fatou Cissoko-Stephens, who answered negatively, at which point he told Stewart the Liberty didn't have the timeout.

Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco agreed he had also been told his team did not have a reset timeout.

When asked about the situation in a postgame pool report, an official said Stewart had been "standing behind referee Fahy when he confirmed with his partner between Reese's penalty free throws that New York did indeed have a reset timeout remaining," per USA Today's Meghan L. Hall .

The official also said there was no conversation between referees and Liberty staff, according to Hall.

Stewart indicated ahead of Game 3 she felt the situation could erode trust between players, the referees and the league.

"You want to have respect between players and refs, and players and the league, and all of these things, and in order to have respect, you need to build trust," Stewart said (h/t ESPN's Kareem Copeland). "And building trust comes with being honest. Putting me in a position to question my integrity is really disappointing."

Stewart and the Liberty tipped off their must-win Game 3 against the Dream at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Fahy and Cissoko-Stephens will not be officiating the contest, although they will be in action in another semifinal Game 3 later tonight when the Golden State Valkyries look to advance past the Las Vegas Aces at 9:30 p.m. ET.