Paige Bueckers knows Angel Reese’s trash-talking side better than most. “She just brings the best out of you. She’s a crap talker, just like me, to be able to have that,” Bueckers said. Reese thrives in competitive matchups, especially against familiar rivals like Bueckers. And the Dream star delivered. But the thing that captivated fans is her gesture towards a former Indiana Fever star. 

Reese was coming off a tough day that ended with a clutch play. After shooting 4-11 from the field, Reese rejected Emese Hof to preserve the Dream’s one-point lead at the buzzer. Coach Karl Smesko admitted that “she was trying to feel her way around a little bit, maybe with first-game nerves.” Reese looked far more comfortable against Dallas, even taunting the Dallas crowd. 

In the first quarter of the game, Allisha Gray missed a three and like always, Reese was present to crash the boards. This time, she was competing with former Indiana Fever star Odyssey Sims. And Reese won the battle, dropping another second chance point on the guard. As she walked back on defense, Reese made the “too small” gesture. 

That was met with some boos from the College Center crowd and Reese welcomed them. She responded by gesturing for the crowd to get louder.

The Dream ended up defeating the Wings 77-72 and Reese was among the records yet again. She had 12 points while shooting 4-8 from the field and got 16 rebounds and 2 assists. Reese had 8 offensive rebounds, which is more than the entire Dallas team combined. 

In the process, Reese also became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 850 career rebounds. But it was her gesture against Odyssey Sims that has caught the eye of the fans, who have varying reactions regarding the act.

Angel Reese’s “Too Small” Taunt Sparks Backlash Over Dallas Rebounding Struggles

“LMAO I LOVE ANGEL REESE,” wrote a fan. “Angel Reese is hilarious lol,” pitched in another.  Angel Reese was feasting against the Dallas Wings, even hitting the same celebration against reigning Defensive Player Of The Year Alanna Smith later in the game. Reese’s passion has shown through at various moments, taunting opponents and trash-talking on a regular basis, which has become a part of her appeal. And she walks the talk. 

She already has the 6th most games in WNBA history with 15+ rebounds, which makes her even more likable for some. Others pointed to the lack of effort on Dallas’ part and some ignorance from the referees for Reese’s success in this game. 

“How TF isn’t  that a foul? 🤣 she literally grabs the ball, looks at her opponent, lowers all the way to her height and then shoulder charges her. 🤣” wrote a fan. There was some physicality in this play from Angel Reese but it wasn’t enough to knock Odyssey Sims off. While the 2026 season has seen a decrease in physicality and some fouls were called on minimal contact, nobody on the Wings complained in this case. Some fans criticized the Wings on their rebounding efforts as well. 

“Just terrible effort by the Wings. 3 of them just standing there,”  pointed out a fan. “Everybody just watching the ball, no box out smh,” analyzed another. The Wings had a poor day on the boards, losing 44-33. However, multiple times, like this one, Reese and Co. grabbed the rebounds uncontested. And it’s not like the Wings are undersized. They have Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepherd at 6’4 and Awak Kuier at 6’6. Not to mention Li Yueru, who did not play, at 6’7.

Coach Jose Fernandez admitted that they lacked some rebounding effort after the game too. “I think we need to do a better job when the ball’s not going in the basket, grinding it out and defending better,” Fernandes said. “It seemed like that didn’t happen first. The ball has to move a lot better for us.”

Even with Wings at their best, the board’s battle was Atlanta Dream’s to lose with Angel Reese in their ranks. She is clearly the best rebounder in the league and one of the best defenders. And Reese is not afraid to show it against anybody. “I don’t fit the narrative and I’M OK WITH THAT,” Reese wrote a few years ago. “I’m from Baltimore where you hoop outside & talk trash.” So, expect more sizzling clashes as the season goes on, especially with her old-time rival Caitlin Clark.