Dream's Reese questions officiating as Atlanta faces elimination

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 23:03 · Archive

Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese criticised referees after the team's 64-55 loss to Golden State Valkyries in Game 5, putting the Dream one win from elimination.

Atlanta Dream fell 64-55 to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday, putting the team one loss away from elimination after the series shifted to 3-2 in Golden State's favour.

Angel Reese scored seven points on 2 of 8 shooting whilst grabbing 15 rebounds and attempting four free throws. Coach Karl Smesko defended his star player after the loss, saying the contact allowed against her was 'just ridiculous' and that the Dream should have gone to the free throw line 'six to eight more times' on fouls against Reese alone. Smesko also pointed to what he believed were missed double-dribble and travelling violations by the Valkyries, adding bluntly: 'You can't be at this level and make that many mistakes.'

Reese echoed her coach's concerns, saying the officiating reflected a pattern from earlier in the season. 'I am still trying to figure out how to play through the physicality,' she said. 'I'm kind of used to it because this was happening throughout the season, so I have to just continue to play through it. But honestly, for my teammates, when they're getting slapped to the floor or knocked off, it's a little frustrating.'

The Dream had taken a 2-1 series lead after a dominant Game 3 home win. However, the momentum shifted during their losses in Games 4 and 5. Reese said: 'When we went up 2-1 and things shifted, and I don't know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn.'

The Daily Mail reports that some fans questioned whether Reese should have faced a flagrant foul after she elbowed Valkyries player Kayla Thornton in the face in the first quarter of Game 5, though only a common foul was called.

The series continues in Atlanta on Thursday for Game 6. The Dream also face questions about their offensive production, with Reese scoring in single digits for the second straight Finals game.

How it is being reported

• Dream coach Karl Smesko calls WNBA Finals officiating ‘just ridiculous’ as Angel Reese also questions refsAngel Reese and coach Karl Smesko blasted WNBA Finals officiating after the Atlanta Dream's Game 5 loss to the Golden State Valkyries in the series.Fox News · 27 Oct, 22:49
• Furious Angel Reese slams WNBA refs as championship hopes fade... despite escaping punishment after elbowing opponentAtlanta Dream star Angel Reese was one of many people who took issue with the officiating in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday evening.Daily Mail Sport · 27 Oct, 14:37
• Angel Reese rails against refs after second straight WNBA Finals dud: ‘Things shifted’"It definitely shifted."New York Post · 27 Oct, 12:29

In this story: Angel Reese · Karl Smesko · Golden State Valkyries · Atlanta Dream · Kayla Thornton

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