STWF Sports | Atlanta, GA. | June 3, 2026 – Angel Reese delivered another productive all-around performance for the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night, but her latest double-double was not the only moment that had basketball fans talking.

Reese helped lead Atlanta to a 91-75 win over the Connecticut Sun in Commissioner’s Cup play, finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. It was another strong stat line for the Dream forward, who continues to make an impact on the glass and as a versatile frontcourt presence.

Still, the biggest conversation after the game centered on a fourth-quarter sequence involving Connecticut center Brittney Griner.

Angel Reese: The Rising Star of the WNBA

With 7:43 remaining, Reese and Griner became tangled while battling for position near the basket. During the play, Griner’s arm made contact around Reese’s upper body and neck area. Reese went down hard, and officials reviewed the sequence before assessing Griner a Flagrant 1 foul.

Griner appeared surprised by the ruling and Reese’s reaction, but the veteran quickly reached down to help Reese back to her feet. The exchange suggested there was no lingering issue between the two players, even as the play sparked heavy debate online.

Many fans questioned whether the foul should have been upgraded to a flagrant, while others accused Reese of selling the contact. Some social media reactions pointed to a larger basketball conversation around embellishment and how officials judge physical plays in the paint.

The moment came just days after similar debates in the NBA postseason, where fans and analysts argued over physicality, contact and player reactions. In Reese’s case, the discussion centered on whether the contact itself warranted a flagrant or whether the reaction influenced the review.

Under the 2026 CBA, a Flagrant 1 carries a $500 fine for the offending player, meaning Griner is expected to face discipline from the league as a result of the call.

While the debate around the fourth-quarter play gained traction, Reese’s performance also included a major career milestone.

The forward hit her first 3-pointer of the season, a corner shot that also marked the 1,000th point of her WNBA career. It was a notable moment for Reese, whose offensive development has been one of the most closely watched parts of her young professional career.

Dream guard Allisha Gray praised the shot after the game, pointing to the work Reese has put into expanding her range.

“It was a big three,” Gray said. “Angel works on her 3-point shot every day. I see her putting in the work every day, and she shot with confidence.”

Gray also noted the timing of the basket, saying it helped shift momentum for Atlanta.

Reese has faced criticism since entering the league in 2024, particularly around her scoring efficiency and perimeter shooting. Her rebounding and motor have never been questioned, but adding a more reliable outside shot could make her a more difficult matchup and open up Atlanta’s spacing.

Dream head coach Karl Smesko also credited Reese’s willingness to adjust her shooting mechanics. He said the release on Tuesday’s made 3-pointer looked much closer to what Reese has shown in practice.

“I thought the crowd loved it. Team loved it. I loved it,” Smesko said. “Right out of her hands, it looked like it was going in.”

The shot added another layer to what has been a strong start for Reese since joining the Dream after an offseason trade from the Chicago Sky. She has already recorded five double-doubles this season and remains one of the league’s most productive rebounders.

Recently, Reese reached 900 career rebounds in just 71 games, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to hit that mark. She also became the quickest player to reach 900 points and 900 rebounds, further cementing her early place among the league’s top young frontcourt players.

Tuesday’s game reflected both sides of Reese’s rising profile.

On one hand, she produced another double-double, reached 1,000 career points and showed progress with her outside shot. On the other, the Griner incident brought another wave of attention and criticism, showing how closely every moment of her game is watched.

For Atlanta, the most important takeaway was the result. The Dream earned a 16-point win, Reese continued to fill the box score, and her development as a shooter showed another sign of growth.

The conversation around the flagrant foul may continue, but Reese’s impact on the court remains hard to ignore. With her being a catalyst for the Dream fast start.