‘Inexcusable Flopping,’ ‘Bailed Out by the Refs Like Always’ — WNBA World Sounds Off on Officiating As Angel Reese, Dream Advance to Round 2
· Yahoo Sports
Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are moving on after taking care of business against the Washington Mystics on Wednesday. Atlanta completed the first-round sweep to book its place in the semifinals, but the way the series ended left another part of the game under the microscope.
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The result wasn’t the only thing fans were talking about. Several calls during the series, particularly in Game 2, drew plenty of criticism from the WNBA world.
WNBA Community Cries Foul Over Officiating As Angel Reese, Dream Complete Round 1 Sweep
The final scores made the series look more comfortable for Atlanta than it actually was. The Dream had to erase an 11-point deficit in Game 1 before pulling away for a 92-77 win, with Reese finishing her playoff debut with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Game 2 followed a similar path. Washington kept hanging around and cut its deficit to 3 points early in the fourth quarter before Atlanta took control and closed out a 93-75 win. The game had plenty of edge throughout, with the teams combining for 53 fouls as the Mystics fought to keep their season alive.
By the time the sweep was complete, there was no shortage of discussion surrounding how the series had played out. Unsurprisingly, the WNBA community had plenty to say about the officiating once the final buzzer sounded.
“What we’ve seen the last two nights has been inexcusable. This flopping is getting out of control. Also, why are they rewarding it?? Angel Reese is openly smiling/laughing after every call. They aren’t hiding it!!” influencer Hero of the Day posted.
“Angel Reese so [expletive] she talks trash after getting SWATTED and bailed out by the refs,” House of Lowlights added.
“Typical Angel Reese taunt after getting blocked at the rim and getting bailed out by the refs like always,” an X user echoed the same point.
Lauren Betts’ block on Reese became one of the plays that attracted plenty of attention. Reese had words for the Mystics rookie after the sequence, giving fans even more to discuss.
“Cussing out an opponent after getting blocked is a new level of [expletive],” one fan tweeted.
“Angel Reese gets another phantom whistle. She creates contact, gets blocked, gets rewarded free throws, and then she cusses out the defender for no reason,” Hero of the Day added.
Another sequence involving Reese and Mystics forward/center Shakira Austin also sparked criticism.
“Angel Reese POKED a player in the EYE, and the refs REFUSED to review it,” House of Lowlights tweeted.
Criticism of Reese for allegedly embellishing contact has followed her at different points since she entered the WNBA, and the physical nature of the Washington series brought some of those complaints back to the surface.
“Flailing, clumsy as [expletive], and foul-mouthed as a drunk sailor. That’s Angel Reese,” another fan remarked.
The criticism did nothing to change the outcome. Reese and Atlanta are headed to the semifinals, where another physical challenge awaits against a New York Liberty frontcourt featuring Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
After a testy opening round against the Mystics, the battles around the basket aren’t getting any easier. Reese now gets veteran champs Stewart and Jones, with a trip to the WNBA Finals at stake.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.