Dream star Angel Reese blames referees after fifth-game loss
After a 64-55 defeat that put the Atlanta Dream behind 3-2 in the WNBA Finals, Angel Reese said the officiating had become inconsistent and called for tighter calls in the upcoming Game 6.
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese said the refereeing in the WNBA Finals shifted after the team took a 2-1 series lead, and she felt the calls had become less favorable in the later games. Reese scored seven points on 2-of-8 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds in Monday night’s 64-55 loss to the Las Vegas Valkyries, marking her second consecutive game under ten points.
"So, yeah, it definitely shifted. When we went up 2-1 and things shifted, and I don’t know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn," Reese said after the game.
Dream head coach Karl Smesko defended his star, noting the amount of contact she received compared with other players and suggesting the team should have drawn more fouls.
"I do want to have Angel’s back here. The contact they allow on Angel compared to everybody else is just ridiculous. We should have gone to the foul line six to eight more times just on that," Smesko said.
Reese pointed to a specific incident in Game 4 where she claimed opponent Gabby Williams fouled her, but the officials did not whistle the call.
"Her team is saying it, and they are all screaming ‘foul’ but the refs, I don’t know what’s going on, why they can’t hear it," Reese said.
She added that she feels physical play is being called inconsistently, noting instances where she believes she was fouled but was instead called for an offensive foul.
"I have the mismatch, especially we were talking about matchups, so when I switch on the post I’m a lot stronger than the opponent. I should be able to turn and they’re calling an offensive foul, but I’m getting pushed before that. That is frustrating," she said.
Despite the criticism, Reese expressed confidence that the Dream can rebound in Game 6, emphasizing team unity and preparation.
"Our backs are against the wall but when we get to go home and play in front of our home crowd again, I think we feel good about ourselves. Everyone in the locker room is dialed in, and we still believe we can win," she said.