Fans Turn on Angel Reese After Heated Reaction to Face-Hitting Incident
A face-hitting incident involving Angel Reese sparked a heated reaction from the star, as fans immediately took to social media to voice their opinions.
Video Transcript
Angel Reese found herself at the center of another heated moment Thursday night during the Atlanta Dream's 104 to 69 win over the Connecticut Sun.
In the second quarter, Reese drove toward the basket while being defended by Aaliyah Edwards and Leila Lakhan.
As Reese released her layup, Edwards' arm came across Reese's face and neck area.
Reese immediately turned around, stood over Edwards, and shouted at her.
Moments later, Reese explained her side of the incident to those around her, saying, "She grabbed my neck."
After a replay review, officials upgraded the foul from a common foul to a flagrant one.
Reese missed both free throws that followed and struggled offensively, finishing three of 13 from the field for eight points.
However, she made a major impact on the boards, grabbing 15 rebounds and bringing her season total to 375 in 32 games, setting a new single-season franchise record for the Dream.
Reese also had a physical battle with Connecticut star Brittney Griner.
Griner blocked Reese three times during the game, but Reese answered on defense by blocking the Griner three times herself.
It was the first time in Griner's 13-year career that she had been blocked three times in one game.
Reese even blocked Griner twice on the same possession before stripping the ball away.
Dream head coach Carl Smesko praised that effort afterward, "Angel was dominant on the boards."
Still, the flagrant one became a major talking point among fans.
Some believe the contact was more complicated, pointing out that Reese's head made contact with Edwards before Edwards' arm moved across her neck.
One fan wrote, "I mean, Angel headbutts her first.
Wild call."
Others criticized Reese's reaction, with another fan writing, "Angel might have anger issues."
A different viewer questioned the officials, asking, "How is this a foul on Edwards and not at least a foul on Angel?"
Despite the controversy, Atlanta improved to 21 and 12, while Connecticut fell to eight and 24.
Reese and the Dream now turn their attention to Sunday's matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, adding another major storyline to an already highly anticipated game.
Share your thoughts in the comment.
