It was a clash of the titans when the Atlanta Dream took down the Minnesota Lynx in an 89-81 win on Sunday. With both teams looking to get back to winning ways, the game was expected to deliver end-to-end action. But before the Dream’s victory, Atlanta’s Angel Reese got into a heated exchange with Minnesota’s Courtney Williams, with either player refusing to back down in a game high on emotions.

The play happened with about 5:49 left in the second quarter, as shown in a video uploaded by BrickCenter. The Lynx trailed by five points, and Atlanta looked to build on its lead, with the score at 37-32 in Atlanta’s favor. As Reese drives inside the paint from the left, she is defended by Minnesota’s Natasha Howard, and Courtney Williams soon joins to double-team the Atlanta forward.

The players then got into a heated exchange as Williams was called for a foul on Reese after apparently wrapping her arms around the ball from the front, and Howard tried to do the same from behind Angel Reese, as shown in the clip. Reese still had possession of the ball and was clearly disenchanted with the play. An X user, @_girltalk, reposted this clip and used their skills as a lip reader. They caught Reese referring to Williams as “bald head,” as the referee and other players had to get between both players to prevent a physical altercation.

This alleged action by Angel Reese is being criticized by the fans and media. Often, Reese is the one at the receiving end of abuse. So this alleged exchange of words has left the fans questioning whether or not Reese would be subjected to any form of disciplinary action by the league, especially considering an incident involving Reese earlier in the season.

During a game in July, after Toronto Head Coach Sandy Brondello was caught on the hot mic referring to Angel Reese as “protected species,” the league suspended Brondello for a game for making inappropriate comments.

They also released a statement saying that “The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league,” while announcing the suspension.

So it remains to be seen what the outcome of this latest controversial exchange will be.

Apart from this incident, it was a spectacular night for Angel Reese and Co. Reese broke another WNBA record after notching up her 29th double-double of the season and surpassed Alyssa Thomas’ record of 28 double-doubles, which she set in 2023. Reese ended the night on 15 points and 11 rebounds, while also adding two assists. Her teammate Allisha Gray finished on a team-high of 23 points and 11 rebounds to push the Dream to victory.

Atlanta finishes on a high as we head into the FIBA break. The Lynx will look to introspect after losing two back-to-back games. Atlanta faces the Connecticut Sun next, and the Lynx take on the New York Liberty after the break.