Sabrina Ionescu Criticizes Officiating After Liberty’s Loss to Lynx: “We Deserve Consistency”

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu did not hold back after her team’s narrow 86–80 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, calling out what she viewed as inconsistent and unbalanced officiating that, in her words, “completely changed the flow of the game.”

The main point of contention? A staggering 33–8 free throw disparity in favor of the Lynx—a difference that left players, coaches, and fans scratching their heads.

“I don’t know how we’re supposed to play physical basketball when one side is allowed to play through contact and we’re not,” Ionescu told reporters postgame. “We just want fairness. We want consistency. That’s it.”

The Liberty, known for their high-paced offense and tough perimeter defense, were called for 24 fouls to the Lynx’s 12. Several key New York players, including Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, were forced to sit with foul trouble in critical moments of the second half.

Head coach Sandy Brondello echoed her star guard’s frustration.

“You don’t want to blame the refs, but at some point, the numbers speak for themselves,” Brondello said. “We’ll go back, watch film, and continue to adjust—but we do hope the league reviews how this game was called.”

Minnesota, meanwhile, capitalized on the disparity, knocking down 27 of their 33 free throw attempts. New York, by contrast, went just 6-for-8 from the line—a stat that ultimately proved decisive in what was otherwise a tightly contested battle.

The loss drops the Liberty to 19–7 on the season and raises concerns about how games are being called, especially as playoff positioning becomes more critical in the final stretch of the regular season.

This isn’t the first time Ionescu has voiced concerns about officiating, though she has typically kept her criticism measured. This time, however, her tone was noticeably sharper.

“We’re out there giving everything we have. The fans deserve a fair game. And frankly, we do too,” she added. “We respect the officials, but we need that respect returned in how games are managed.”

Around the league, players have increasingly spoken up about the need for more transparency and accountability in officiating. In the past month alone, several coaches have submitted formal complaints to the league office, requesting reviews of what they called “disproportionate foul calls” in key games.

For the Liberty, the loss was a missed opportunity to gain ground in the standings, but it also underscored a growing concern among players: that inconsistent officiating can derail even the most disciplined game plans.

Still, Ionescu remains focused on the bigger picture.

“We’ll move forward. We always do. But I hope this starts a conversation—not just for us, but for the good of the league.”

With only eight games left in the regular season, the Liberty will need both focus and fairness as they push toward a deep playoff run.