New Footage Contradicts Referee's Timeout Claim in Liberty's Controversial Loss
Video evidence appears to show Breanna Stewart inquiring about a reset timeout, contradicting the WNBA's pool report.
New footage has emerged that directly contradicts the WNBA's official pool report following the Liberty's Game 2 overtime loss, indicating that New York star Breanna Stewart did inquire about a reset timeout. The video, revealed by ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Thursday, features audio that appears to capture Stewart asking league official Kevin Fahy about the timeout.
The exchange occurred as Angel Reese was preparing to shoot free throws with 4.3 seconds left in overtime and the Liberty trailing by a single possession. In the footage, Stewart can be heard asking, “Do we have a reset?” She was also seen on the broadcast making a gesture toward her team’s bench, signaling for a reset timeout, which would have allowed New York to advance the ball and potentially make substitutions.
Referee Kevin Fahy, positioned closest to Stewart, is seen appearing to wave off her inquiry and making a gesture with his hand that suggests the Liberty had no timeouts remaining. The team ultimately inbounded the ball from the opposing baseline, and Stewart's final shot fell short, resulting in a 101-98 loss to the Atlanta Dream.
Following the game, Stewart expressed frustration, stating, “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 the reset timeout, it’s pretty frustrating.” She added that she would appreciate clarity on the situation.
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco echoed Stewart's sentiment, reporting that "multiple staff" were informed by officials that the team did not possess a reset timeout. However, in a post-game pool report, crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens denied that an official had spoken to the Liberty about timeouts.
The WNBA has not yet returned inquiries regarding the new video evidence. The Liberty submitted a query to the league immediately after the game, and the situation is reportedly under review. The team is scheduled to host the Dream in Game 3 of the series on Friday, facing elimination.