Angel Reese rails against refs after second straight WNBA Finals dud: Things shifted
Angel Reese believes there has been a clear line of demarcation relating to how the referees have called these WNBA Finals.“So, yeah, it definitely shifted.When we went up 2-1 and things shifted,” Reese said after Monday night’s 64-55 road loss in Game 5 to the Valkyries that put the Dream in a 3-2 series hole, “and I don’t know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn.”That supposed “big turn” hasn’t been lost on coach Karl Smesko, who backed his star after her second straight game failing to crack 10 points against Golden State’s stout defense.Reese tallied just seven points — along with 15 rebounds — on 2 of 8 shooting, while attempting a series-low four free throws.“I do want to have Angel’s back here,” Smesko said after his team lost its second straight Finals game.
“Like, the contact they allow on Angel compared to everybody else is just ridiculous.It’s just ridiculous.
And we should have gone to the foul line six to eight more times just on that.”The momentum in these Finals has changed in sudden fashion and has the Dream suddenly one win away from elimination after it seemed they had control of the series.During their dominant Game 3 home win to claim a 2-1 series lead, Reese repeatedly taunted the Valkyries for their inability to stop her, with her and a teammate indicating their foes were too small.After dropping Games 4 and 5, Reese is suddenly on the defensive, calling out the referees and insisting that she is getting fouled more often then they are noticing.Reese attempted 18 total free throws across Games 1 and 2 (seven and 11, respectively) before making just five trips to the line in the blowout Game 3 win.She attempted just six free throws in the 67-62 home loss in Game 4 while tallying eight points and nine rebounds, and then tallied her lowest total in Monday’s dud.Reese has totaled 15 free throw attempts over the last three games.She said she noticed the shift during Game 4, pointing out a play whe...