The WNBA acknowledged Friday that officials made a critical error in the closing minutes of the Sparks' title-clinching Game 5 win over the Lynx on Thursday night.
Renee Brown, the league's chief of basketball operations and player relations, said game officials should have reviewed Nneka Ogwumike’s shot with 1:14 remaining. The shot that gave the Sparks a 73-71 lead "should not have counted due to a shot-clock violation, and … the referees improperly failed to review the play under the instant replay rules,” a league statement said. (Video of the play is available here.