Angel Reese & Dream Head Coach Slam WNBA Officiating After Game 5 Loss

After the first three games of the 2026 WNBA Finals, Angel Reese was on cloud nine, having led her Atlanta Dream to a 2-1 series lead and possibly cementing her status as the future Finals MVP.

She was not only one of the team’s best defenders, but the Dream also began to rely on Reese as their offensive focus. She routinely led her teammates in scoring, which is why those Finals MVP chants grew louder.

Everyone felt this would be the perfect redemption arc for a player who had been heavily criticized and trolled ever since she stepped foot in the league.

Reese was about to be crowned the best player and a champion before some of the other illustrious young players could. But in Game 4, the tables turned when the Golden State Valkyries throttled the Maryland native to just eight points on 16.7% shooting. Angel Reese made it clear after the game that the horrific performance was entirely her fault.

Before Game 5, the conversation was that the Atlanta Dream might have to celebrate their championship after Game 6 in a practice court because of scheduling conflicts. That, though, will not happen anymore.

It definitely shifted when we went up 2-1 and things shifted and I don’t know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn.

Angel Reese told reporters

This was the three-time All-Star subtly suggesting, with examples, how the officiating has changed in the last two games. Angel Reese and her Dream lost Game 5, and she believes, as do her teammates and head coach, that the officiating change has affected the outcome.

Dream’s head coach was not as subtle as Angel Reese

Angel Reese was calmer in her criticism compared to when she was visibly lashing out at officials in Game 4. Her head coach, Karl Smesko, took over the mantle this time.

The contact they allow on Angel compared to everybody else is just ridiculous… We should have gone to the foul line six to eight more times just on that. Then to miss double dribbles and travels, multiple, that always led to points? You can’t be at this level and make that many mistakes… I’m kind of tired of some of the excuses that I’m hearing.

Karl Smesko said

The 56-year-old pointed out that the Valkyries were getting away with a lot of things that generally are called in games. That, along with the physicality with which they are fouling his most important player without getting called, is getting out of hand.

Even though the WNBA’s officiating has been a hot mess for the past few years, the referees received praise for the way they handled the first three games of the Finals. However, complaints seem to be returning.

Angel Reese believes she and her Atlanta Dream will still win the championship

While complaining about the officiating could get the league to go over the game footage and make adjustments, that alone will not help the Atlanta Dream win their next two games.

The franchise is on the back foot after shooting poorly again. Angel Reese fared slightly better, but was still not as efficient as she was in Games 2 and 3. Despite this setback, she believes her team will prevail.

I still believe in our team. I still believe that we can win this… The process sometimes is a little bit harder, and you want to go through hard stuff to get what you want.

Angel Reese said

The LSU alum has been all grit and determination throughout the latter half of the season. So if she believes her team will prevail, there is a good chance the 2026 WNBA will go to a Game 7 for the first time in league history.

Also Read:

• Caitlin Clark’s Fever to Keep Stephanie White as Coach Despite Sweeping Front Office Changes
• Sophie Cunningham Lauds Angel Reese For Standing Up For Her Teammate