{"id":901183,"date":"2026-10-31T15:24:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T15:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/901183\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T15:24:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T15:24:16","slug":"jackson-thompson-angel-reese-trash-talk-timeline-from-mocking-caitlin-clark-to-beefing-with-bidens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/901183\/","title":{"rendered":"JACKSON THOMPSON: Angel Reese trash talk timeline, from mocking Caitlin Clark to beefing with Bidens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Angel Reese has taken a crafty, scrappy and mouthy road to her first ever Game 7 in WNBA<\/a> history.<\/p>\n

She has already made her presence heard in the series, taunting Golden State with a “too small” gesture. But Reese\u2019s history of making statements stretches back well before her first Finals appearance.<\/p>\n

From her championship-game taunts directed at Caitlin Clark<\/a> in college to public criticism of her own team in Chicago, Reese has repeatedly made headlines with her words and gestures. Those moments have sparked debates over sportsmanship, player treatment and the scrutiny that comes with stardom.<\/p>\n

ANGEL REESE WENT FROM TAUNTING GOLDEN STATE TO COMPLAINING ABOUT OFFICIATING AS WNBA FINALS SHIFTED<\/a><\/p>\n

Reese has, at times, explicitly embraced the attention.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll take the bad guy role,” she said in June 2024, while arguing that she also deserved credit for women\u2019s basketball\u2019s growing popularity.<\/p>\n

As she prepares for Saturday\u2019s championship showdown, here is a look back at the trash talk, pointed comments and public clashes that have accompanied her rise.<\/p>\n

April 2, 2023\u00a0\u2013 The ring finger \"Angel <\/p>\n

Angel Reese of LSU reacts toward Caitlin Clark of Iowa during the fourth quarter of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on April 2, 2023. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Much of the world was introduced to Angel Reese at the end of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After her LSU Tigers knocked off Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, Reese made a gesture that changed the sport forever.<\/p>\n

As LSU closed out its 102-85 national championship victory over Iowa, Reese waved her hand in front of her face in Clark\u2019s direction, then pointed toward her ring finger. The “you can\u2019t see me” gesture, popularized by wrestler John Cena, was one Clark had used during Iowa\u2019s Elite Eight win over Louisville.<\/p>\n

The celebration became a debate of its own. Critics accused Reese of poor sportsmanship, while defenders questioned why her gesture drew backlash when Clark\u2019s had been celebrated. Reese, named the Final Four\u2019s Most Outstanding Player, stood by it.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t fit in a box that y\u2019all want me to be in,” Reese told reporters afterward. “But when other people do it, y\u2019all say nothing.”<\/p>\n

Clark herself declined to join the criticism.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t think Angel should be criticized at all,” she told ESPN two days later, defending trash talk as part of competition.<\/p>\n

April 3\u20137, 2023 \u2014 \u2018We\u2019ll go to the Obamas\u2019 \"Angel <\/p>\n

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose for photographs with co-captains Emily Ward and Angel Reese during a celebration for the Louisiana State University NCAA Division I women’s basketball national championship team in the East Room of the White House on May 26, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s next public clash reached the White House.<\/p>\n

A day after LSU won the national championship, then-first lady Jill Biden suggested that runner-up Iowa should also visit the White House, an honor traditionally reserved for the champions.<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s response was short: “A JOKE.” She posted it on Twitter with three laughing emojis.<\/p>\n

Biden\u2019s office subsequently clarified that her suggestion was meant to celebrate the historic game and women athletes, and that she looked forward to hosting LSU. Reese remained unimpressed, referring to that response as an apology during an appearance on the “Paper Route” podcast.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t accept the apology,” Reese said.<\/p>\n

She argued that LSU would not have received an invitation had it lost, then offered an alternative destination.<\/p>\n

ANGEL REESE MOCKS CAITLIN CLARK AFTER CLEAR PUSH AS WNBA’S BEST RIVALRY HITS NEW GEAR<\/a><\/p>\n

“They can have that spotlight. We\u2019ll go to the Obamas. We\u2019ll see Michelle. We\u2019ll see Barack.”<\/p>\n

President Joe Biden ultimately invited LSU and men\u2019s champion Connecticut, without including Iowa. By April 7, Reese said she would attend with her teammates, explaining that she wanted to do what was best for the team.<\/p>\n

The episode ended with a warmer exchange: Reese attended the May 26 celebration, hugged Jill Biden and presented her with a jersey.<\/p>\n

March 10, 2024 \u2014 \u2018Not scared of South Carolina\u2019<\/p>\n

Reese left her final SEC championship game with a loss and a message for the winners.<\/p>\n

LSU, the defending national champion, had been trying to hand undefeated South Carolina its first loss of the season. The Gamecocks held on for a 79-72 victory in Greenville, South Carolina, after a physical game that boiled over into a late confrontation.<\/p>\n

Reese and South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso had spent much of the afternoon battling inside. During the second quarter, Reese pulled Cardoso\u2019s hair as she headed upcourt. On another possession, Cardoso pushed Reese in the back, and Reese responded with an elbow to Cardoso\u2019s face that drew an intentional foul.<\/p>\n

The scuffle near the end of the game began with other players.<\/p>\n

With South Carolina ahead 73-66 and 2:08 remaining, LSU guard Flau\u2019jae Johnson committed an intentional foul on MiLaysia Fulwiley after a turnover. Johnson then bumped South Carolina\u2019s Ashlyn Watkins while heading toward her bench. Cardoso rushed in and shoved Johnson to the floor.<\/p>\n

Cardoso was ejected for fighting, and five other players were ejected for leaving their benches.<\/p>\n

Reese walked away from the confrontation and was not ejected. But her postgame comments threw a jab in a different way.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re not scared of South Carolina,” she told reporters, repeating the declaration before offering a warning to LSU\u2019s upcoming NCAA Tournament opponents.<\/p>\n

“Anybody seeing us moving forward should be scared.”<\/p>\n

May 23\u201325, 2024 \u2014 \u2018One player\u2019 and a deleted post \"basketball <\/p>\n

TNT college basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Mitchell Layton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Reese was three games into her WNBA career when she weighed in on who deserved credit for the league\u2019s growing spotlight.<\/p>\n

After Chicago\u2019s 90-81 victory over the New York Liberty<\/a>, she celebrated the win with a pointed post on X.<\/p>\n

“and that\u2019s on getting a WIN in a packed area not just cause of one player on our charter flight,” Reese wrote, adding a kissing emoji. She subsequently deleted the post.<\/p>\n

The comment followed Charles Barkley\u2019s criticism of WNBA players he accused of being petty toward Clark. Barkley said they should thank the Indiana Fever rookie for the attention and money she was bringing to the league, including its newly introduced charter flights.<\/p>\n

The WNBA had announced its full charter program earlier that month, citing years of work to strengthen its business.<\/p>\n

Although many interpreted Reese\u2019s post as a swipe at Clark, Reese later told the Chicago Sun-Times that Barkley was her target.<\/p>\n

“He knows it was directed towards him and whoever is not actually educated on what\u2019s going on in the league,” she said.<\/p>\n

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW\u2013UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!<\/a><\/p>\n

Reese argued that numerous players, including herself, had contributed to the WNBA\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

June 1\u20133, 2024 \u2014 \u2018It\u2019s because of me, too\u2019 \"Caitlin <\/p>\n

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky look on during a game June 1, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. (NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s first WNBA meeting with Clark brought a controversial foul, a fine and another declaration about her place in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

During Indiana\u2019s 71-70 victory over Chicago, Sky guard Chennedy Carter knocked Clark to the floor with an away-from-the-ball shoulder check. The WNBA subsequently upgraded the foul to a flagrant 1.<\/p>\n

Broadcast footage showed Reese standing and clapping from Chicago\u2019s bench after the contact, drawing further scrutiny. The league also fined Reese $1,000 for failing to make herself available for postgame interviews.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters June 3, Reese said she was willing to embrace an unpopular role as women\u2019s basketball continued attracting new audiences<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll take the \u2018bad guy\u2019 role,” she said.<\/p>\n

She pointed back to LSU\u2019s 2023 championship game against Iowa and the attention that had followed, arguing that the sport\u2019s growth extended beyond one player.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s because of me, too, and I want y\u2019all to realize that,” Reese said.<\/p>\n

June 16, 2024 \u2014 \u2018A special whistle\u2019 \"Angel <\/p>\n

Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts after fouling Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 16, 2024. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s next complaint came after her own foul on Clark went to review.<\/p>\n

During the third quarter of Indiana\u2019s 91-83 victory over Chicago, Reese attempted to block a Clark layup and struck her across the head, sending her to the floor. Officials initially called a common foul, then upgraded it to a flagrant 1 after reviewing the play.<\/p>\n

Reese defended her attempt to contest the shot.<\/p>\n

“It was a basketball play. I can\u2019t control the refs,” she said afterward.<\/p>\n

She also argued that Chicago had not received enough calls when attacking the basket, saying a review of the film showed missed fouls.<\/p>\n

“I guess some people got a special whistle,” Reese said, without naming a player.<\/p>\n

Reese and fellow Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso each finished with five fouls. Chicago coach Teresa Weatherspoon also expressed frustration with calls she believed her post players should have received.<\/p>\n

Clark offered a more restrained assessment of the contact.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s just part of basketball,” she said, adding that Reese “was trying to make a play on the ball.”<\/p>\n

Oct. 3, 2024 \u2014 \u2018Why don\u2019t y\u2019all box me out?\u2019<\/p>\n

Reese turned criticism of her rebounding into a challenge for her opponents.<\/p>\n

During an episode of “Unapologetically Angel” featuring Dwyane Wade, she defended the skill that had become her calling card during her rookie season.<\/p>\n

“Why don\u2019t y\u2019all box me out? How come y\u2019all don\u2019t box me out?” Reese asked.<\/p>\n

Her rebounding had become a recurring point of debate, with critics highlighting possessions in which she collected her own missed shots. Reese argued that her success on the glass was being turned into a reason to criticize her.<\/p>\n

She finished the season leading the WNBA with 13.1 rebounds per game, including a league-best 5.1 offensive rebounds. She also shot 39.1% from the field.<\/p>\n

Reese acknowledged during the conversation that her offense needed work and said improving it would be an offseason priority. Her message about rebounding was more defiant: opponents had their chance to stop her.<\/p>\n

Jan. 31, 2025 \u2014 \u2018Sabrina can\u2019t f—ing guard\u2019<\/p>\n

Reese took her trash talk to the Unrivaled League \u2014 and a television microphone picked it up.<\/p>\n

During a timeout in the first season of Unrivaled, the offseason 3-on-3 league, Reese delivered a blunt assessment of New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

“Sabrina can\u2019t f—ing guard!” Reese said while her Rose BC coach, Nola Henry, was wearing a microphone. Ionescu was playing for the opposing Phantom BC.<\/p>\n

Phantom won 75-63 behind Ionescu\u2019s 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. She also blocked a Reese layup in the fourth quarter. Reese finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.<\/p>\n

Asked about the remark during a Ringer NBA Show interview released Feb. 18, Ionescu defended trash talk as an ordinary part of basketball. She also had a reminder about the result.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t pay too much mind to that one because we won and I had 32 points,” Ionescu said.<\/p>\n

Feb. 1, 2025 \u2014 Unrivaled\u2019s first ejection<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s next Unrivaled milestone came with an early exit.<\/p>\n

During Rose BC\u2019s game against Laces BC, Reese received two technical fouls late in the second quarter after being called for a foul while guarding Tiffany Hayes.<\/p>\n

Reese waved her hand after the call, drawing the first technical. She appeared to argue that her gesture was directed at Hayes rather than the referee, but received a second technical and was ejected \u2014 a first for the new league.<\/p>\n

“While I understood her frustration completely, she\u2019ll grow from that in terms of keeping her composure,” Rose coach Nola Henry said.<\/p>\n

Reese finished with six points and 15 rebounds, and Rose won 83-69.<\/p>\n

Her response continued on X.<\/p>\n

“Happy BHM. yall know i had to be the first,” Reese posted, referring to Black History Month.<\/p>\n

She also called Sports Illustrated\u2019s coverage of the ejection “clickbait,” adding, “everything i do keep going viral.”<\/p>\n

Feb. 21, 2025 \u2014 \u2018Hootie Hoo\u2019<\/p>\n

Reese borrowed the Lunar Owls\u2019 celebration after helping spoil their perfect start in Unrivaled.<\/p>\n

She delivered 22 points and 21 rebounds \u2014 the league\u2019s first 20-point, 20-rebound performance \u2014 as Rose BC beat the previously unbeaten Owls 72-63 on Feb. 21. The Owls entered the game 8-0.<\/p>\n

As Reese left the court, she flapped her arms and shouted “Hootie Hoo,” mimicking her opponents\u2019 signature chant.<\/p>\n

May 17, 2025 \u2014 Another Clark clash \"Angel <\/p>\n

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts to a flagrant foul from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith\/IndyStar \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s second WNBA season opened with another confrontation with Clark.<\/p>\n

With 4:38 left in the third quarter of Chicago\u2019s opener against Indiana, Clark committed a hard foul after Reese grabbed an offensive rebound, knocking Reese to the floor. Reese jumped up and moved toward Clark before Fever center Aliyah Boston stepped between them.<\/p>\n

Officials upgraded Clark\u2019s foul to a flagrant 1 after reviewing the play and assessed offsetting technical fouls to Reese and Boston.<\/p>\n

Crew chief Roy Gulbeyan explained afterward that Clark\u2019s foul involved unnecessary contact. He described Reese\u2019s penalty as a “verbal technical” and Boston\u2019s as a “physical taunt technical.”<\/p>\n

Reese kept her postgame assessment brief.<\/p>\n

“Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” she said.<\/p>\n

Clark said during an in-game interview that there was “nothing malicious” about the foul.<\/p>\n

Indiana won 93-58. Clark finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Reese recorded 12 points and 17 rebounds.<\/p>\n

July 6, 2025 \u2014 Risking a \u2018cheap\u2019 fine<\/p>\n

Reese decided the risk of a fine was worth airing her complaints about WNBA officiating<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After Chicago\u2019s 80-75 loss to Minnesota, she said she had questioned an official about the Sky\u2019s lack of free throws entering the fourth quarter. According to Reese, the official responded that it was “not her job.”<\/p>\n

Chicago finished with eight free-throw attempts to Minnesota\u2019s 17. Four of the Lynx\u2019s attempts came after Chicago fouled in the final 15 seconds.<\/p>\n

Reese called for the officiating to improve and dismissed the potential financial penalty as cheap.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t give a damn if I get fined,” she said. “I am tired of this s—.”<\/p>\n

She carried that frustration onto X, describing a photo showing contact around her waist during a rebound as “diabolical.”<\/p>\n

In another post, she shared her press conference comments and tagged the WNBA with a message: “idgaf. DO BETTER.”<\/p>\n

July 10, 2025 \u2014 Taking on RG3 \"ESPN <\/p>\n

ESPN college football and NFL analyst Robert Griffin III reacts on the sidelines before the 2024 AFC divisional round game between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 20, 2024. (Tommy Gilligan\/USA TODAY Sports)<\/p>\n

Reese appeared to push back against former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III\u2019s claimed inside scoop on her relationship with Clark.<\/p>\n

In a July 10 post condemning a racist image of Reese, Griffin also claimed people in her circle had contacted him and claimed she had grown to hate Clark.<\/p>\n

Hours later, Reese posted a pointed response without naming Griffin.<\/p>\n

“lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work,” she wrote.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE<\/a><\/p>\n

Sept. 3\u20137, 2025 \u2014 Calling out her own team<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s assessment of Chicago\u2019s roster brought consequences from her own organization.<\/p>\n

In a Chicago Tribune interview published Sept. 3, Reese called for roster upgrades and raised the possibility of eventually leaving if the Sky didn\u2019t improve.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m not settling for the same s— we did this year,” she said.<\/p>\n

She specifically questioned relying on point guard Courtney Vandersloot, then 36 and recovering from a season-ending ACL injury.<\/p>\n

“We can\u2019t rely on Courtney to come back at the age that she\u2019s at,” Reese said. She also said Vandersloot could remain an asset, while advocating for a younger, experienced guard.<\/p>\n

In a televised interview, Vandersloot said: “My age is absolutely not a factor. I am coming back.”<\/p>\n

Rachel Banham told the Sun-Times she felt “blindsided” by Reese\u2019s comments. Players held a meeting after their Sept. 3 game, and Reese apologized.<\/p>\n

“I didn\u2019t intentionally mean to put down my teammates,” Reese said, arguing that her language had been taken out of context.<\/p>\n

On Sept. 5, the Sky announced Reese was suspended for the first-half of a Sept. 7 game against Las Vegas, citing “statements detrimental to the team.”<\/p>\n

Reese ultimately missed the second half, too, with a back injury.<\/p>\n

It marked the beginning of the end of Reese in Chicago, as she was traded to the Atlanta Dream ahead of the 2026 season, in April.<\/p>\n

Eleven days after Chicago traded her to Atlanta for two first-round draft picks, Reese used her introductory news conference to explain what she wanted from her new basketball home.<\/p>\n

“I enjoyed being able to grow within my first two years, but I wanted more. I love to win, I love to compete and I wanted to be surrounded by people that can make me better,” she said. “I don\u2019t care about anything else that comes with it. I want to win and being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players.”<\/p>\n

June 14, 2026 \u2014 Trading words with Isabelle Harrison \"Angel <\/p>\n

Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream looks down at Isabelle Harrison #21 of the Toronto Tempo after getting fouled during a game at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto on June 14, 2026. (Toronto Star via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Reese\u2019s back-and-forth with a former teammate ended with that teammate getting tossed.<\/p>\n

Reese and Toronto Tempo forward Isabelle Harrison, who played together in Chicago during Reese\u2019s 2024 rookie season, had been jawing throughout their matchup in Toronto. Their encounter escalated in the third quarter.<\/p>\n

With 6:05 remaining in the period, Harrison pulled Reese to the floor as the Atlanta forward worked inside. Players from both teams converged, and Reese\u2019s teammates pulled her away. Officials initially called a common foul, then upgraded it to a flagrant 2 after reviewing the play, ejecting Harrison. No additional penalties were assessed during the confrontation.<\/p>\n

Harrison had scored 17 points before her early exit. Reese remained in the game and finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds, including a career-high 11 offensive boards, as Atlanta won 102-77.<\/p>\n

July 2, 2026 \u2014 \u2018Disrespectful\u2019 All-Star results<\/p>\n

Reese took aim at All-Star voting after Atlanta failed to land a single starter.<\/p>\n

Speaking before the Dream\u2019s July 2 game against Washington, Reese called the results “disrespectful,” particularly toward teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. She credited the guards with driving Atlanta\u2019s success and said she would speak up for them.<\/p>\n

“For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face, but they\u2019re not going to say anything. I am.”<\/p>\n

Reese also congratulated the selected starters and said they deserved their spots. She expected Atlanta\u2019s players to make the roster when reserves were announced.<\/p>\n

The starting lineup came from a weighted vote: Fans accounted for 50%, with players and media contributing 25% each. Howard and Gray finished fifth and sixth among guards, with four starting spots available. Reese finished seventh among frontcourt players, one place outside the six-player cutoff.<\/p>\n

Five days later, all three were announced as All-Star reserves, selected by the league\u2019s head coaches.<\/p>\n

Sept. 21, 2026 \u2014 Trading \u2018too small\u2019 taunts with Jonquel Jones<\/p>\n

Reese gave Jonquel Jones the “too small” treatment. Jones returned the favor.<\/p>\n

During Atlanta\u2019s September matchup with New York, Reese backed down the Liberty center and scored a short shot in the second quarter. She followed the basket with the familiar gesture, pinching her fingers together to suggest Jones couldn\u2019t handle her inside.<\/p>\n

Jones answered in the third quarter. She backed Reese toward the basket, scored as Reese fell to the floor and delivered her own “too small” celebration.<\/p>\n

Both finished with double-doubles: Reese had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jones recorded 18 points and 12 boards. Atlanta won 95-84, moving closer to securing home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Sept. 30, 2026 \u2014 Waving Washington out of the playoffs<\/p>\n

Reese picked up a technical for taunting Washington, then waved the Mystics out of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

With 4:08 remaining in Game 2 of their first-round series, Reese blocked Michaela Onyenwere\u2019s layup and grabbed the rebound. She turned to exchange words with Onyenwere, who swatted the ball from her hand. Officials assessed Reese a technical foul for taunting.<\/p>\n

After Atlanta completed its 93-75 victory and two-game sweep, Reese and teammate Allisha Gray raised their hands and waved goodbye toward Washington\u2019s players.<\/p>\n

Veteran teammate DeWanna Bonner stepped between them and pulled both players\u2019 hands down.<\/p>\n

Reese finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks as Atlanta advanced to the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Speaking afterward, she praised Washington\u2019s young roster and predicted future success for the Mystics. But she also offered her assessment of the series: “the best team came out on top.”<\/p>\n

Oct. 9, 2026 \u2014 Jawing with Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones<\/p>\n

Reese had words for two Liberty stars as Atlanta closed out New York.<\/p>\n

The first exchange followed a second-quarter basket by Dream rookie Isobel Borlase, who appeared to push off against Sabrina Ionescu without drawing an offensive foul. On the next possession, Ionescu pushed Borlase while setting a screen and was called for an offensive foul.<\/p>\n

Reese ran over and repeatedly spoke to Ionescu. Rhyne Howard stepped between them and pushed Ionescu, while Reese continued talking before DeWanna Bonner led her away. Officials reviewed the confrontation and assessed no technical fouls, ruling that no hostile act had occurred.<\/p>\n

Minutes later, Jonquel Jones blocked Reese\u2019s shot and bumped her with her chest. The two stood chest-to-chest and exchanged words before teammates separated them. This time, both received technical fouls.<\/p>\n

Reese finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in Atlanta\u2019s 85-83 victory, completing a three-game sweep and sending the Dream to their first Finals since 2013.<\/p>\n

OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD<\/a><\/p>\n

Afterward, Reese described competing against respected peers as “literally war,” adding that “the respect is given.”<\/p>\n

October 2026 \u2014 Finals taunts and a Game 7 showdown<\/p>\n

Reese brought her “too small” taunt to the Finals, along with her running commentary.<\/p>\n

During Game 2, Reese and Valkyries center Aminata Gueye exchanged words while Reese stood at the free-throw line following a foul by Gueye. Reese made both shots, then blocked Gueye\u2019s layup on Golden State\u2019s next possession. She finished with 30 points and 16 rebounds in Atlanta\u2019s 79-65 victory, evening the series.<\/p>\n

In Game 3, Reese pinched her fingers together toward Golden State players in the familiar taunting gesture. Photographers also captured her making it after the victory, with teammates laughing beside her.<\/p>\n

Reese contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds as Atlanta won 97-71 and took a 2-1 series lead.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters on Oct. 23, she explained her effort to unsettle Golden State.<\/p>\n

“They\u2019re playing into my mental game where I can take their confidence and just try to do whatever to mess them up,” she said.<\/p>\n

She also said Golden State\u2019s home atmosphere at Chase Center, nicknamed Ballhalla, did not intimidate her and suggested Atlanta presented a tougher environment for visiting players.<\/p>\n

The Valkyries responded. Kaila Charles emphasized the need to match Atlanta\u2019s energy and answer its trash talk. During Game 4, broadcast cameras caught Charles pushing Reese\u2019s arm as Atlanta gathered for a huddle. Reese pushed back, and the two exchanged words. Golden State won 67-62 to tie the series.<\/p>\n

Golden State also won Game 5, putting Atlanta one loss from elimination. The Dream answered Thursday with an 80-69 Game 6 victory. Reese recorded 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, while Allisha Gray scored 23 points and Rhyne Howard added 21.<\/p>\n

That sends the series back to Ballhalla for the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. Tipoff is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center, with both franchises seeking their first championship.<\/p>\n

Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Angel Reese has taken a crafty, scrappy and mouthy road to her first ever Game 7 in WNBA…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":901184,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[3691,3444,1760,259870,99,434],"class_list":["post-901183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-angel-reese","tag-atlanta-dream","tag-caitlin-clark","tag-outkick-sports","tag-sports","tag-wnba"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/901183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=901183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/901183\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/901184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=901183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=901183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=901183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}