CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the first half against the Chicago Sky on April 29, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 29 Preseason Atlanta Dreamagainst the Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260429012
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the first half against the Chicago Sky on April 29, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 29 Preseason Atlanta Dreamagainst the Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260429012
Angel Reese helped the Dream close out a sweep of the Mystics in Game 2, but one play in the third quarter is drawing more attention than the win. Fans are calling it dirty, though the contact appears to have been unintentional.
The Dream beat the Mystics 93-75 on Wednesday, Sept. 30, to complete a first-round sweep and reach the semifinals for the first time since 2018. The game was chippy, with 53 combined personal fouls, four short of the WNBA playoff record.
Reese finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists, and was called for four personal fouls. The 'Poking' incident took place during the third quarter of the game.
Phoenix Mercury v Atlanta Dream COLLEGE PARK, GA - AUGUST 5: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the ball during a game between Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on August 5, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. 9589
Phoenix Mercury v Atlanta Dream COLLEGE PARK, GA - AUGUST 5: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the ball during a game between Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on August 5, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. 9589
According to reports by Meghan L. Hall of USA Today, Reese was trying to poke the ball away from Mystics center Shakira Austin when she accidentally poked Austin in the eye. Reese was called for her fourth foul on the play.
Austin was vocal afterward, pleading her case with the referees for the foul to be reviewed. It wasn't, and Reese went to the bench.
Reese entered the series averaging 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds for Atlanta. In Game 1, she had 13 points and 12 rebounds in her postseason debut, but shot just 4-of-15 and picked up five fouls.
However, it is this clip of the incident with Austin that has been making the rounds on social media, and fans have given their opinions on it.
WNBA fans react to Angel Reese poking Shakira Austin
A clip of the moment was uploaded by House of Lowlights on their X account, and several fans took to the comment section of the post to make their feelings known about the incident.
One fan did not mince their words as they made their frustration with the officials clear. They wrote,
"Way to go referees, how about we just mess up another call. I mean, you guys getting them from the. Reck league referees, or what the hell are these people doing."
One fan wasn't holding back when weighing in on the officials' handling of the incident. They commented,
"SHOULD'VE BEEN A FLAGRANT. THESE DIRTY PLAYERS TRYING TO INTENTIONALLY BLIND FELLOW ATHLETES!!"
Another reaction went a step further, with one fan questioning the intent behind the play. They wrote,
"Dirty play…as always…the ball was no where near her hands….honestly looks like she did it on purpose….one of MANY reasons I stopped watching."
Another fan took a sarcastic shot at the situation, questioning the player's awareness during the incident. They wrote,
"She needs to start wearing glasses. Obviously she can’t see straight."
Others had little sympathy for Reese, with one fan offering a blunt assessment. They commented,
"Reese is a dirty player"
Whether fans see the play as dirty or just unlucky, it was ruled a foul and moved on. Reese and the Dream now turn to the semifinals, with the officials and her own temper both still in the spotlight.
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco