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WNBA Fans Fuming as Official From Breanna Stewart Reset Timeout Blunder Earns Finals Spot

Controversy is mounting around the WNBA Finals officiating crew after Kevin Fahy was selected for the assignment despite his role in a disputed timeout call during Game 2 of the semifinals between the New York Liberty and the Atlanta Dream. In that match, played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on October 4, 2026, Angel Reese sank a free throw with four seconds left in overtime to give the Dream a 101-98 lead.

The Liberty subsequently failed to use a reset timeout, a decision attributed to Fahy incorrectly telling Breanna Stewart that none remained, even though the team still had one available. The league later explained that overlapping conversations caused the confusion, but fans remain outraged by Fahy's inclusion on the 14-person Finals roster.

Bethany Donaphin, Head of WNBA League Operations, defended the selection as a recognition of the officials' on-court achievements this season. Social media reactions have been harsh, with some users questioning why veteran Isaac Barnett, who has officiated 296 games and was part of the 2025 Finals crew, was left off the list.

The incident has fueled broader dissatisfaction with the league's officiating standards, with critics arguing that a cleaner slate of referees would have better instilled confidence in the upcoming championship series.

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