Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream visited the Connecticut Sun on Thursday with an opportunity to keep their recent form going. Atlanta was looking for its second consecutive victory while trying to close the gap on the Indiana Fever in the race near the top of the WNBA standings.
Reese, who has been one of the league’s most productive players this season, did not have her usual offensive rhythm early. She scored just two points in the first half, going 1-for-5 from the field and missing both of her free-throw attempts. But she was effective on defense, securing two steals and four blocks, including a double rejection and steal off Brittney Griner.
Things became heated late in the second quarter when Reese battled for another possession in the paint.
Chris Jones-Imagn Images
After securing an offensive rebound off a missed attempt, Reese went back up for a putback attempt, only for Connecticut’s Leila Lacan to draw a foul on her.
The initial foul call was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after officials reviewed the contact, with replays showing Aaliyah Edwards grabbing Reese from behind.
Reese appeared visibly frustrated by the sequence and exchanged words with Edwards afterward. The play now leaves Edwards facing a league penalty, adding another flagrant foul to her record this season.
A Flagrant 1 carries one flagrant point and a $500 fine under the WNBA’s revised rulebook for the 2026 season. Players accumulate those points throughout the season, with a one-game suspension triggered once a player reaches four points.
This marks Edwards’ second Flagrant 1 of the season. She previously received one against New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier on June 8, which also carried one flagrant point.
Despite Reese’s slow start, Atlanta led Connecticut 51-32 at halftime and looked poised to secure its 21st win of the season.
