The Atlanta Dream is a team with a diverse set of players, both in terms of gameplay and personality. This was quite evident in Game 3 of the semifinals against the New York Liberty, as even after their remarkable win, fans couldn’t stop talking about two Atlanta players who reacted very differently to an incident during the game.
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After Sabrina Ionescu was called for a defensive foul with 5:56 left in the second quarter of the game, Angel Reese, who didn’t like Ionescu’s hard screen on her Dream teammate, had some strong words for the Liberty guard. Reese appeared quite animated as she continued to engage in a verbal exchange with Ionescu later. Initially, Rhyne Howard stepped in to stop the two from feuding, but it was only after DeWanna Bonner’s involvement that Reese stepped away and seemed to calm down, with Bonner appearing to say something to Reese while grabbing her arm.
The sequence posted by @espnW on X has fans abuzz, with some praising Bonner’s calm and poise in the heated situation, as you would naturally expect from a veteran like her. On the other hand, some are criticizing Reese for her rash behaviour.
“Nothing but respect an love for her true leadership.. Atl winning it all..,” one fan said about Bonner.
“And is!! Love her to life!! So glad she plays for the home team now!! Might just wear my CT jersey of hers to the game next week!,” another fan chipped in.
Atlanta made a wise choice in signing Bonner. Beyond her on-court performance, the veteran is bringing her knowledge and experience to a young Atlanta Dream full of raw talent like Angel Reese. While there is no denying the DPOY’s calibre as a hooper, like any other young player, Reese can be prone to getting a bit carried away occasionally, as this is not the first time that Bonner has had to step in to stop Reese.
In the first-round series against the Washington Mystics, DeWanna Bonner was seen getting Reese and Allisha Gray’s hands down at the end of Game 2. The Dream were celebrating their 2-0 sweep of the Mystics, and Reese was seen waving her hands up and making the ‘goodbye’ gesture. Bonner quickly stepped in and made sure that Reese and Co. did not get carried away in their celebrations.
“Love DB🤣🤣,” another fan commented.
“I’ll say it again every championship team has one of them,” one fan added.
While this is Reese’ first trip to the WNBA postseason, Bonner has featured in a staggering 103 games in the playoffs, the most by a WNBA player. Being a two-time champion, perhaps she realizes that it’s important to keep your composure even when you don’t agree with the on-court calls.
In the Game 3 incident against the Liberty, Reese’s exchange with Ionescu was reviewed, but both players were lucky to escape a technical foul. In alternate circumstances, things could have turned out very differently for the Atlanta forward, and she and her team would have paid the price had the incident resulted in a suspension.
While Bonner’s gesture drew praise, several fans also highlighted how Reese had behaved in that moment.
“The fact that Reese did not get a technical for that is absolute BS. That’s why she keeps acting that way,” wrote one fan, pointing out that the refs didn’t give Reese a technical for the confrontation.
“Yea no tech given. Protected Species…..,” added another fan.
When Atlanta Dream played the Toronto Tempo on July 17 this year, Brondello was caught on a hot mic referring to Reese as a “protected species.” The league took note of these comments and suspended Brondello for a game, along with imposing a fine for her “inappropriate” comments.
While Brondello soon apologized to Reese publicly, fans in this incident are pointing out that Reese was quite disrespectful in her conduct here and was lucky to escape a technical foul, which would have meant that, along with the technical she got for her exchange with Jonquel Jones in the same game, she would have only been one tech away from a one-game suspension.
Only time will tell how Bonner continues to impact this Atlanta team. They will surely rely on her in every possible way as they now prepare to face the Golden State Valkyries in the Finals.