Noelle Quinn's Frustration with Officiating

After a grueling double-overtime game that ended in a 108-106 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn did not hold back her feelings about the officiating. Quinn criticized what she described as a season-long trend of inconsistent calls against her team.

"Sky played 43 minutes and took zero free throws. It's ridiculous," Quinn said, referring to seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins. "Maybe I have to come up here and get fined and rant, rant and rave for us to get respect and consistency. That's all I want. I'm not a coach that complains often, but I see what happens when people come up here and do it, so now I'm about to do it."

Diggins' Performance and the Game's Turning Points

Diggins, who scored 18 points, did not attempt a single free throw despite playing 43 minutes. The Storm as a team took 19 free throws compared to the Sparks' 25. A critical moment came with 58 seconds remaining in regulation when a coach's challenge by Quinn was denied, leading to a pivotal three-point play by the Sparks that tied the game.

"I saw with my own eyes it go off the opponent, and they said there was not enough camera angles to change that call," Quinn said. "Again, the lack of respect, the disrespect. I can't. I know I'm young and early in my career, but I work very hard, and so does my team, and we deserve to get refereed consistently."

The Impact on the Playoff Race

The loss was significant for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning. The Sparks (12-15) are fighting to secure a playoff spot, while the Storm (16-12) aim to secure home-court advantage in the first round. Despite the loss, Quinn praised All-Star forward Nneka Ogwumike, who scored 37 points, a high since joining the Storm in 2024.

"We gotta talk about her more," Quinn said. "You guys gotta talk about her more. What she's doing is nothing short of amazing. Where she's at in her career, to continue to be so efficient. She willed us in a lot of possessions. I know my group was tired, but she is one of the best players, if not the best player, on our team, and she continues to showcase that every night."

Looking Ahead

Quinn's comments highlight ongoing concerns about officiating in the WNBA, a league where games are often decided by razor-thin margins. As the season progresses, the Storm will need to find ways to overcome these challenges if they hope to make a deep playoff run.