Angel Reese made bold claims about officiating in the 2026 WNBA Finals after the Atlanta Dream lost 64-55 to the Golden State Valkyries in Monday's Game 5. Reese had her lowest-scoring game and fewest free-throw attempts of the series – she scored seven points and attempted four free throws.
Reese felt the referees allowed more contact than in the first three games. But after the Dream went up 2-1, the officials called the game differently against her and the team. She also revisited her account of an incident with Gabby Williams. The referees missed an intentional foul, which the Valkyries wanted.
"I would definitely say (the calls changed in the) last game," Reese said in the post-game press conference. "There was also a possession where Gabby pulled me on purpose, and she was screaming, 'Foul foul, foul,' and they didn't call it. So that definitely was frustrating for sure. And her team is saying it, and they're all screaming foul, but the refs- I don't know what's going on- why they can't hear it.
"And I know I have the mismatch, especially since we were talking about matchups. So when I do switch on the post and I'm a lot stronger than the opponent, I should be able to turn and they're calling offensive foul, but I'm getting pushed before that. So that is frustrating for sure. 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."
(22:20 onwards)
The Dream had the fewest free throws of any game in Monday's contest with 14. However, they still had one more free throw than their counterparts. In Game 4, the Dream had 31 free throws compared to the Valkyries' 13.
The free-throw differential this series has also heavily favored the Dream, who are averaging 26.0 free throws per game, while the Valkyries average 15.6. Both teams have been physical on defense, which has been their identity all season.
Reese and the Dream's struggles in the past two games have come from the Valkyries limiting the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Golden State is forcing more outside shot attempts and packing the paint.
The defense collapses the moment Reese attempts to drive, and Kiah Stokes, arguably the best defender in the playoffs, handles the rest as the last line of defense. According to ESPN Insights , the Dream are shooting 9-for-48 when Stokes is guarding them in the finals.
The Dream may believe that the officiating has derailed their offense in the playoffs. However, credit should go to the Valkyries for countering Atlanta's schemes over the past two games.
Golden State has bogged down on Angel Reese, the Dream's most successful player this series, limiting her to less than 10 points in the last two outings. Kiah Stokes has raised her level, and the Valkyries have limited Reese from getting to her spots in the paint.
They have capitalized on Reese's inability to move the ball out of her hands quickly, which has slowed down the Dream's offense.
The Valkyries have also adjusted on offense by attacking mismatches. They targeted Jordin Canada more, and whoever she guarded didn't waste time trying to score on those possessions.
Read more:
"Just Ridiculous": Karl Smesko Bashes Refs Over Alleged Bias Against Angel Reese on Contact Play
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