Angel Reese Completely Ignoring Flau’Jae Johnson’s Olive Branch Handshake Angers Fans – “Anger Barbie at Her Finest”

There was a time when Angel Reese and Flau’Jae Johnson were inseparable. Well, that was several moons ago, and now they do not speak to each other.

Surprising as it comes, basketball fans were ecstatic when the two powered LSU to their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball championship.

Tigers fans believed the two would continue to bring success to the program, along with head coach Kim Mulkey, as they felt the team had a certain combination of tenacity and skill that other programs lacked.

Sure, the headlines at the time were more about Reese’s taunts toward then-Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark. But that is what seemingly became the death of her friendship with Johnson.

The Maryland native basked in the spotlight and made herself the most popular women’s basketball player after Clark. Somewhere, that fame and her attitude towards other players may have caused this rift.

After Reese came into the WNBA, her rivalry against the now-Indiana Fever superstar continued. At the same time, Clark’s friendship with Flau’Jae Johnson blossomed.

The latter revealed that she and her former LSU teammate were not on speaking terms. But no one knew exactly how bad the rift was until their first professional game against each other.

With a little more than a minute left in the Atlanta Dream vs. Seattle Storm game, the battle was over, and both coaches pulled their starters.

Flau'jae Johnson tried to give her former LSU teammate Angel Reese a handshake with more than a minute left in the game.

Friday's matchup was their first meeting as opponents in the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/68ZosBObKl

— ESPN (@espn) June 28, 2026

The rookie was dapping up her teammates when she noticed Reese walking past. She reached out to try and shake her hand, but the Dream forward pushed her aside and continued her walk toward the tunnel.

Fans tear into Angel Reese for ‘petty’ behavior towards Flau’Jae Johnson

Basketball fans noticed this incident and could not believe what they witnessed. When someone extends an olive branch, the other is expected to at least acknowledge it.

The person is entitled to talk it out and maybe give reasons why he or she does not want to rekindle the friendship. But to just shove Flau’Jae Johnson aside despite the Storm guard’s efforts left many believing Angel Reese is being too petty.

They felt she was full of herself, not at least making an effort with someone she had won a championship with before. Fans flamed her on social media, examples of which are below.

Reese is always making everything an argument. Anger Barbie at her finest.

— Curious George (@CuriousGeo99850) June 28, 2026

angel reese sadly has less decency than most toddlers I know

— Durr the Tradurr (@ohlelel) June 28, 2026

Reese such a sore loser 😂 not surprising

— Mark (@M_dreW_M) June 28, 2026

Use to root for her but she genuinely doesn’t get a long with none of her teammates , she has to be da problem

— ™️ (@PlayOffMurray) June 28, 2026

I’ve tried to like Angel for so long but she does make it hard to root for her

— Adam (@adambcent13) June 28, 2026

Yep that’s just AR for you. And this is why she’s hated and always will be.

— Beechy (@PBthunda16) June 28, 2026

Flau’jae Johnson is a class act.

— Kris D. (@planetkris) June 29, 2026

Idunno why Angel consistently does stuff like this. She’s a fantastic ball player and this nonsense keeps shifting the narrative on that

— Bobby Digital (@SuperBobNewbie) June 28, 2026

Angel Reese might have her reasons not to speak with Flau’Jae Johnson. But fans felt she could have at least said something towards her former teammate. Instead, the cold shoulder just left fans believing the Dream star was making it about herself again.

Flau’Jae Johnson’s final points aced the game against Angel Reese

Heading into this battle against the Seattle Storm, the Atlanta Dream had lost two straight games to start their road trip. Before that, they had won four straight, with two on the road.

Therefore, it was surprising to see them struggle, and maybe that was what the home team decided to target. Reese’s team were suddenly struggling with their half-court sets, and the Storm pounced on that with Johnson’s mid-range game.

The rookie has been finding her feet of late after struggling to come to terms with the increased pace and physicality of the WNBA. She registered 20+ points for the second straight game, while also contributing on the glass.

However, her last shot was what settled this battle. After coming up the court with the ball, the 22-year-old noticed a possible switch and dribbled left. Now with Reese on her, she strafed left, faked as if she were going to drive towards the rim, and pumped the brakes.

BIG SHOT BIG 4. 👌 pic.twitter.com/qkXEVHfISP

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 28, 2026

The Dream star knew what her former college teammate was going to do and jumped toward Johnson. But the eighth-overall pick’s three-pointer went through, leaving her team 10 points ahead of its opponent. After that, it was basically game over for the visitors.

Also Read:

• Caitlin Clark’s Head Coach Flames Officials For Missing Alyssa Thomas’ Fist to Her Throat
• Marina Mabrey Tying WNBA Record 53 Points Months After Setting Unrivaled Record Stuns Fans – “She is Unstoppable”