Angel Reese Faces Finals Taunts as Dream Fans Stand Firm After Title Loss

WHO:

RealGM Basketball - Angel Reese described the Atlanta Dream as “the most competitive team” she had been part of and said it was “the most fun I’ve had with a group.”

Bleacher Report - Angel Reese, 24, played for the Atlanta Dream, who lost the WNBA Finals to the Golden State Valkyries.

Pro Football Network - Dave Portnoy and fans of Caitlin Clark mocked Reese after the Dream’s Finals loss.

Pro Football Network - Dream supporters defended Reese after Atlanta lost to Golden State.

Pro Football Network - Dream fans criticized coach Karl Smesko over Reese’s limited role late in Game 7 and Rhyne Howard’s shooting.

Fox News - Angel Reese said the Atlanta Dream would return after their Finals loss.

WHAT:

RealGM Basketball - Reese said, “And just because we didn’t win today doesn’t mean that we won’t be champions in the future.”

RealGM Basketball - Allisha Gray scored 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting in Game 7.

RealGM Basketball - The Dream scored fewer than 65 points in each Finals loss, compared with their regular-season average of 91.3 points.

RealGM Basketball - The Dream are set to return all five starters next season and host their home games at State Farm Arena.

RealGM Basketball - Reese said she looked forward to another year under coach Karl Smesko and his development and system.

Pro Football Network - Fans praised Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase after her F-bomb celebration following the championship win.

Sportskeeda - Speedy Morman replied “ST*U” to a fan who offered to teach Angel Reese how to improve her jump shot.

Pro Football Network - WNBA fans revisited Reese’s Game 3 gesture toward the Valkyries and criticized what they described as poor sportsmanship.

Pro Football Network - WNBA fans criticized DeWanna Bonner over her August departure from the Phoenix Mercury after Atlanta’s Finals loss.

Pro Football Network - Cathy Engelbert was booed during the Valkyries’ championship ceremony; fans responded online.

Bleacher Report - The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals.

Bleacher Report - Reese recorded eight points on 3-of-7 shooting, 12 rebounds and two blocks in Game 7.

Fox News - Reese finished Game 7 with eight points and four turnovers and said, “We’ll be back.”

Bleacher Report - Across the playoffs, Reese averaged 16.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 steals per game; she shot 41.7% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range.

Bleacher Report - Reese averaged 14.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in Atlanta’s first-round win over the Washington Mystics.

Bleacher Report - In the semifinals, Reese averaged 20.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game as Atlanta swept the New York Liberty.

Bleacher Report - Reese received her third consecutive All-Star selection and was named Defensive Player of the Year.

Bleacher Report - Atlanta reached the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013.

Pro Football Network - Portnoy and Clark fans used taunts including “Angel Reese Is 0-1 in the Finals” and “Thank You, Gabby Williams.”

Pro Football Network - Dream supporters posted, “Still Team Angel Reese Over Here” and said they felt “Vindicated With Her Playoff Run and DPOY.”

Pro Football Network - Dream fans criticized Smesko for “Icing Angel Reese Out” late in Game 7 and said he “Allowed Rhyne Howard to Shoot Them Out.”

Pro Football Network - Reese discussed the Dream’s locker room after the championship loss; the article headline quoted her saying, “No Egos In the Locker Room.”

WHERE:

RealGM Basketball - Game 7 was played at Chase Center.

Bleacher Report - The Finals game was played between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries; the Dream’s first-round opponent was the Washington Mystics, and its semifinal opponent was the New York Liberty.

WHY:

Sportskeeda - Morman’s response followed a fan volunteering to help Reese with her jump shot after the Finals loss.

Pro Football Network - Fans’ criticism of Smesko followed Reese’s limited fourth-quarter role and Atlanta’s Game 7 loss.

HOW:

Bleacher Report - Atlanta advanced through a first-round victory over Washington and a semifinal sweep of New York before losing the Finals in Game 7.

The Golden State Valkyries beat Atlanta 68 to 63, winning the WNBA Finals in Game 7. Angel Reese had eight points and 12 rebounds, then vowed Atlanta would return. Despite online criticism after the loss, Reese praised the Dream’s competitive spirit and team camaraderie.