Angel Reese facing backlash for actions in Game 1 of WNBA Finals

Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are down 1-0 against the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Finals. They lost Game 1, 68-64, at the Chase Center.

The home team was led by Gabby Williams, who finished with 26 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kaila Charles also provided an all-around performance with seven points, 10 rebounds, two steals and one block.

Allisha Gray led the Dream with 19 points and six rebounds. Rhyne Howard added 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Reese, the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year finished with a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double.

However, Reese is under fire for her Game 1 actions. She allegedly had reckless plays involving Williams and Veronica Burton.

WNBA fans react to Angel Reese’s physicality in Dream-Valkyries game

In the first play, Reese was dribbling the ball and attempted a spin move. Williams tried to get the steal, but the Atlanta forward seemingly hit her with an elbow to the face. 

In another incident, the Valkyries’ starting guard shot a floater, and Reese went up as the help defender. However, Reese’s arm made contact with Burton’s head, knocking down the 5-foot-9 guard.

I’m sorry but the fact that none of these were reviewed is criminal.

Angel Reese on back to back possessions hits Gabby in the face on offense but what is more egregious is right before that Burton takes a shot and after Angel flys by and totally takes her out.

Direct Contact to the head of Veronica Burton.

How none of this is being reviewed or called is beyond me.

I wouldn’t be hard on Angel here if what she did in the last Liberty game didn’t also get overlooked.

Intentional or not this is willfully reckless play that should be drawing Flagrants and the officials are just ignoring it.

— Paddocast Sports (@PaddocastSports) October 17, 2026

Reese’s action prompted some backlash from WNBA fans on social media.

“reese does it constantly in every game. im not sure if shes just reckless or being dirty but it happens and rarely gets reviewed,” an X user said.

“That was a foul on Reese in the gabby clip….” said a fan.

“IIRC, contact to the head is ALWAYS supposed to be reviewed, right? Or am I misremembering?” a comment asked.

“First one I could see being unintentional.  Second one was absolutely a deliberate, malicious act.  Should’ve been a flagrant 1.” a user shared.

“There is a wind-up hit to the head and the refs didn’t even go to replay,” a repost said.

“That first play is questionable, but that second one was an arm directly to the face AFTER the ball was shot.  That probably should be a technical,” added another.

The Dream will have a chance to even the series before returning to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4. The second game of the WNBA Finals will be on Monday.

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