The New York Liberty have filed a formal inquiry with the WNBA regarding a timeout dispute that emerged during a 101-98 overtime loss to the Atlanta Dream. The controversy centers on a claim by Liberty star Breanna Stewart that officials incorrectly informed her team they had no reset timeout remaining in the final seconds of Game 2, despite the team still having one available. This error occurred as the Dream secured a 2-0 lead in the semifinal series, moving within one victory of a Finals berth.
Stewart told reporters after the game that she asked referee Kevin Fahy if the Liberty had a reset timeout. Fahy checked with crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens, who reportedly said no. Stewart stated that this information led the team to play out the final seconds without using the timeout, which under league rules allows a team to advance the ball without huddling on the sideline. "It is pretty frustrating," Stewart said, adding that the Liberty left the game with the reset timeout unused.
The sequence of events unfolded in the closing moments of overtime. After a late New York turnover, Angel Reese sank both free throws to extend Atlanta's lead to three points. The Liberty inbounded from under their own basket and passed to Stewart, whose desperation shot missed as the clock expired. Cissoko-Stephens later clarified to ESPN that Stewart was standing behind Fahy when he confirmed with his partner that New York did indeed have a reset timeout remaining between Reese's penalty free throws. Officials were not made available to media until roughly two hours after the game ended.
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco acknowledged the confusion, stating that multiple staff members were told the team did not have a timeout. "We've got to demand more," DeMarco said. Dream coach Karl Smesko noted he believed New York had a timeout left but expected them to use it to advance the ball. Since they did not, Atlanta was able to secure a stop. Cissoko-Stephens emphasized that while scorer's tables track timeouts, teams are responsible for managing their own usage throughout the game.
The Liberty also struggled with ball security in critical moments. With less than 10 seconds left in overtime, A'ja Wilson lost control of the ball while driving, sending it out of bounds. Wilson took responsibility for the mistake, stating, "This loss is on me." Atlanta's depth was evident as six players scored in double figures, with Reese and Jordin Canada leading the team with 23 points apiece. Leading scorer Allisha Gray sat out due to a finger injury.
The Liberty now face unprecedented odds as they attempt to become the first team in WNBA history to erase a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Brooklyn, New York.