Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese experienced a physically demanding night, including being struck in the face and struggling with her shot, during her team's commanding 104-69 win against the Connecticut Sun on Thursday. The incident involving Sun player Aaliyah Edwards occurred in the second quarter.
The On-Court Altercation
The contentious moment unfolded as Reese drove for a layup, facing a double-team defense. As she released the shot, Edwards' hand made contact with Reese's face and head region. Following the impact, Edwards fell to the court behind Reese. An angered Reese immediately turned, stood above Edwards, and verbally confronted her. Shortly after, while on the sideline, Reese was observed making gestures suggesting she had been hit in the neck area. Officials subsequently reviewed the play and upgraded Edwards' foul against Reese to a Flagrant 1. The incident was notably absent from discussions during the Dream's postgame press conference.
A Challenging Performance for Reese
Beyond the foul, Reese encountered several other difficulties throughout the game. Early in the first quarter, her shot attempt was emphatically blocked by Sun center Brittney Griner, who went on to reject two additional shots from Reese before the game concluded. Reese concluded the contest with eight points, converting only three of her thirteen field goal attempts, and registered two turnovers. Despite her offensive struggles, she excelled on the glass, securing 15 rebounds, a recognized strength of her game.
Broader Context of WNBA Incidents
This particular incident adds to a growing discussion surrounding flagrant fouls within the WNBA during the 2026 season. Other notable instances of aggressive contact this year include Alyssa Thomas's foul on Caitlin Clark in June, and DiJonai Carrington's contact with Sophie Cunningham's face during a layup attempt last Saturday. The league is currently navigating a broader national conversation regarding incidents of hard contact on the court, as well as ongoing cultural discussions related to transgender athletes in women's sports.
International Play Awaits
Reese is set to join Team USA, alongside Clark, for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany in the coming weeks. This international competition will offer a temporary respite for players as the WNBA season pauses.
