Angel Reese thinks there has been a clear dividing line in how the refs have called these WNBA Finals.
“So, yeah, it definitely changed. When we got up 2-1 and things changed,” Reese said after Monday night’s 64-55 road loss in Game 5 against the Valkyries that put the Dream in a 3-2 series hole, “and I don’t know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn.”
This supposed “big turning point” did not escape coach Karl Smesko, who supported his star after his second consecutive game without managing to score 10 points against Golden State’s solid defense.
Reese had just seven points — along with 15 rebounds — on 2-of-8 shooting, while attempting a series-low four free throws.
“I want Angel back here,” Smesko said after his team lost its second straight game in the finals. “The contact they allow on Angel compared to everyone else is just ridiculous. It’s just ridiculous. And we should have gone to the foul line six to eight more times just for that.”
The momentum of these finals has shifted suddenly and the Dream are suddenly one win away from elimination after appearing to have control of the series.
During their dominant home win in Game 3 to take a 2–1 series lead, Reese repeatedly taunted the Valkyries for their inability to stop her, with her and one of her teammates indicating that their foes were too small.
After dropping Games 4 and 5, Reese suddenly finds herself on the defensive, calling out the referees and insisting that she is being fouled more often than they notice.
Reese attempted a total of 18 free throws in Games 1 and 2 (seven and 11, respectively) before making just five trips to the line in the Game 3 blowout victory.
She attempted just six free throws in the 67-62 home loss in Game 4 while totaling eight points and nine rebounds, then recorded her lowest total in Monday’s miss.
Reese has totaled 15 free throw attempts in the last three games.
She said she noticed the change in Game 4, pointing to a play in which she claimed Gabby Williams intentionally fouled her and yelled “foul” and that the referees didn’t use their whistles.
“His team says it, and they all yell ‘foul,’ but the refs, I don’t know what’s going on, why they can’t hear it,” Reese said of that Game 4 moment.
“And I know I have a mismatch, especially when we were talking about faceoffs, so when I go to the post, I’m a lot stronger than the opponent. I should be able to turn around and they call an offensive foul, but I get pushed before that. So it’s frustrating, for sure.”
Reese admitted that she’s “still trying to figure out how to play through physicality, although she’s used to it to a certain extent after experiencing this type of aggressive play in the regular season.”
She says referees tell players they’ll get them “next time” but don’t do it.
Relying on the referees to make the game closer in a must-win Game 6 on Thursday in Atlanta is a strategy that could certainly backfire, especially since the Valkyries defense can blur the physical line.
Reese remains confident her team has what it takes to rally and win the franchise’s first title.
“Like right now, 3-2, our backs are against the wall, but when we go home and play in front of our home crowd again and we have to take a few days off and get back to Atlanta Dream basketball, I think we feel good about ourselves and everyone in the locker room is connected to who we are,” she said.
“As long as we’re all on the same page, we can do it. We still believe in the locker room that we can do it. We look in the mirror, how we individually can be better for the team and I still believe in that and I think everyone in the locker room believes in that.”
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