There was strict officiating displayed on Sunday, with 35 fouls called during the game between the Atlanta Dream and the Phoenix Mercury. Angel Reese sparked a moment after committing a flagrant foul.

It was a tight game for both teams, with the Dream finally securing the victory by 82-80. After Reese committed a flagrant foul 1 on Kyara Linskens, she went on to say a few words to Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas.

"I learned that from you," said Reese.

The interaction highlights a growing rivalry that dates back to a physical 2024 encounter between Reese and Thomas.

Reese was referring to a moment from 2024, when Thomas committed a foul on Reese by giving her a clothesline to the neck.

Reese took that foul on her with grace back then.

"They don’t give a d*** if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day. I want them to come at everybody."

There have been altercations between the two, but it looks like both have grown from those moments.

The tight Dream-Mercury matchup saw eight players have three or more fouls during the game.

But with a close win against the Mercury, the Dream might look forward to a lower foul count.

Angel Reese Can Make An Impact In The Next Game

With this win, the Dream has now won four of the five games that they have played. They have won twice against the Dallas Wings, once against the Minnesota Lynx, and now once against the Mercury.

The Dream will play Lynx again this Wednesday. They started the season with a win over the Lynx, by a fine margin of just a single point, with the score ending 91-90 in the Dream's favor.

Reese's performance against Mercury was a stellar showing, where she scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had four assists; she could be the key to the Dream's victory.

Reese has remained productive through the start of the season, averaging 11.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and four assists.

Lynx, who have been in good form, will be looking to avenge their loss against the Dream. They have won two straight games against the Toronto Tempo and the Chicago Sky.

Do you think Angel Reese will be the key to a Dream victory over the Minnesota Lynx? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Surjo Ray