The Atlanta Dream have officially suffered their first upset in this playoff. After fighting their way through the first round and sweeping the semifinals 3-0, the Golden State Valkyries handed Angel Reese and her team a 68-64 loss in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The game lived up to the reputation of the championship series, with the competition on the court and the energy from the fans.
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A play from the game involving Reese and the Valkyries’ star, Veronica Burton, left fans fuming at the referee after a no-call. During the second-half play, Burton tried to force her way to the basket with a layup while being defended by Naz Hillmon. However, as Burton was ready to attempt her contested shot, Reese came from behind and tried to swat the ball away from her. The Valkyries star fell to the ground, holding her face. However, the referees didn’t blow the whistle, and the play continued.
The replay later showed that Reese had indeed hit Burton on her face, instigating backlash from fans in the arena. According to WNBA reporter Madisyn Cunningham, fuming Valkyries fans started chanting against the referees.
“Veronica Burton seems to get clobbered in the mouth by Angel Reese under the Valkyries basket, and takes an extra beat to get back up. No call, but Reese is coincidentally called for a foul on Williams on the other end of the floor. “Ref you suck” chants starting,” Cunningham wrote on X.
Shortly after the play, a replay video on the screen featured one of Reese’s already debated plays. A few minutes ago, the Atlanta Dream star was already involved in a physical play with Gabby Williams, which had left Williams holding her face in pain. Although there was minimal contact on the play, fans wanted the foul called on the Defensive Player of the Year.
The Valkyries and the fans had the last laugh in Game 1. Despite Atlanta holding the lead for 79% of the time, the Valkyries showed their grit. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Valkyries took a rare lead against the Dream and kept it intact, handing Reese and her team a 68-64 loss in Game 1.
Angel Reese had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field. She also had a game-high 12 rebounds, 2 steals and a block in 35 minutes. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points, shooting 8-of-22 from the field. Veronica Burton wrapped up her time with 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks.
The Valkyries will look to extend their lead to 2-0 when they host Atlanta again in Game 2 on Monday. Reese should expect yet another night of a ruthless crowd to greet her.