Angel Reese Gets Into Heated Confrontation With Sabrina Ionescu After Hard Foul on Dream Teammate

Angel Reese has been a leader for the younger Atlanta Dream players since joining the team via trade this offseason.

Angel Reese Gets Into Heated Confrontation With Sabrina Ionescu After Hard Foul on Dream Teammate

Angel Reese confronting Sabrina Ionescu (Image via ESPN)

Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty was set to test the grit of a young team led by Angel Reese against seasoned, championship-winning veterans led by Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu.

The Dream had powered their way to a two-game series lead despite leading superstar Allisha Gray missing Game 2 with an injury. It was a testament to the team’s depth, as they developed their bench throughout the season and added DeWanna Bonner late.

The latter’s experience was vital for the young Dream to power past the Washington Mystics in the first round, and now held a commanding lead against the 2024 champions.

But most of this unbeaten run was down to how well Angel Reese has played. Building on her elite performances at the FIBA World Cup, the 24-year-old led her team on both ends of the floor throughout the postseason.

Even when Gray was unavailable, the superstar took over as the leading scorer. In fact, in Game 3, a moment proved how she can be a true leader of this team for years to come.

In the middle of the second quarter, Sabrina Ionescu was called for a moving screen foul on Isobel Borlase.

Instantly, Reese ran over and confronted the Liberty star. That went on until teammates came over to separate them. It was the 6’3″ forward making it clear that she would not allow opponents to bully her rookie.

Ionescu had essentially retaliated after Borlase fouled her a couple of possessions earlier. But Angel Reese proved that she makes sure those drafted after her can rely on her leadership and friendship.

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Angel Reese clashes with Jonquel Jones a while later

That was not the end of it for Angel Reese, who by then was leading the charge against the New York Liberty in their house. Maybe the home team’s other players noticed what she said to Sabrina Ionescu, which is probably why Jonquel Jones reacted in this way a couple of minutes later.

Angel Reese squaring up to Jonquel Jones
Reese squaring up to Jonquel Jones (Image via FB)

With the ball in her hands at the top of the key, the Maryland native sized up the Liberty center and drove towards the rim. Reese knew that she had the speed advantage and tried to use that to lay the ball into the basket.

However, Jones is taller and has a larger wingspan. She used that to block the Dream star’s shot, and then turned towards Reese to let her know that she would be there to block her attempts.

The LSU alum barked back. But knowing how the earlier incident almost blew up, officials did not take a chance and issued technical fouls to both Jones and Reese.

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Angel Reese reaches first WNBA Finals a year after manifesting it

If anyone has followed the likes of the new generation of basketball players such as Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark, they know these younger stars thrive on getting riled up.

The Dream star has proven that her motivation has been building the entire time she received hate or was trolled. But these incidents also add to her fire. That was evident throughout the game, as she manned both ends of the floor.

The superstar produced a team-high 22 points, along with nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks. That was enough for the Dream to sweep the Liberty and head to the 2026 WNBA Finals.

364 DAYS LATER…

Angel Reese wrote on X

This was Reese reposting what she ‘manifested’ on October 11 last year after the Las Vegas Aces won their third championship. Now, she gets a crack at winning her first.

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