baskSophie Cunningham questions Reese no-call
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham criticized officials for not assessing Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese a technical foul during Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA semifinals. The October 9 matchup took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Atlanta defeated New York 85-83 to complete a 3-game sweep and reach its first Finals since 2013. Cunningham discussed the disputed decision with basketball trainer Drew Hanlen on the October 15 episode of No Hesitation.
Sabrina Ionescu commits an offensive foul
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu committed an offensive foul while setting a moving screen against Atlanta Dream rookie Isobel Borlase. Officials recorded the violation with 5:56 remaining in the second quarter of Game 3.
The Atlanta Dream held a 31-24 lead when officials stopped play. The screen followed contact between Borlase and Ionescu on the previous possession, and the decision prompted Reese to approach the New York guard later.
Angel Reese follows Sabrina Ionescu
Angel Reese confronted Sabrina Ionescu after officials called the offensive foul. The Dream forward followed her opponent as Ionescu walked toward her bench, continuing to address the Liberty guard while other players gathered around them.
Atlanta teammate Rhyne Howard also pushed Ionescu during the exchange. Several other players stepped in to separate those involved, but referees did not assess Reese a technical foul for following and speaking toward her opponent.
Rebecca Lobo questions the no-call
ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo questioned the absence of a technical foul during the October 9 semifinal broadcast. She said Angel Reese should have been penalized for continuing to follow Sabrina Ionescu after their exchange.
Lobo’s criticism concerned Reese’s conduct following the whistle, not the illegal screen itself. Her comments came during the live semifinal coverage, several days before Sophie Cunningham addressed the same incident on her October 15 podcast.
Sophie Cunningham praises Reese’s loyalty
Sophie Cunningham acknowledged why Angel Reese approached Sabrina Ionescu after the screen against Isobel Borlase. She praised the Atlanta Dream forward for supporting a teammate and showing concern for players on her roster that night.
Cunningham drew a distinction between defending teammates and pursuing an opponent. She said Reese could have expressed frustration from her position on the floor instead of following Ionescu as the New York guard walked away.
Sophie Cunningham questions playoff standards
Sophie Cunningham argued that following an opponent down the court would normally result in a technical foul during the regular season. She called the absence of that penalty in the October 9 semifinal “absolutely insane.”
The Indiana Fever guard said referees should apply the same standards throughout the WNBA season. Her criticism focused on Reese speaking directly toward Ionescu while following her, rather than on ordinary verbal exchanges between opponents.
Angel Reese and Jonquel Jones draw technicals
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones blocked Angel Reese’s layup during the second quarter of Game 3. The players then confronted each other near the basket and exchanged words.
Both received technical fouls with 3:16 remaining and Atlanta leading 31-29. That was 2 minutes and 40 seconds of game time after Sabrina Ionescu’s offensive foul at 5:56.
Sophie Cunningham opposes double technical
Sophie Cunningham disagreed with the technical fouls issued to Angel Reese and Jonquel Jones. She described their exchange following the blocked layup as acceptable competition during a WNBA playoff game between Atlanta and New York.
The Indiana Fever guard said officials should have allowed both players to exchange a few words before teammates separated them. She contrasted that ruling with the incident when Reese followed Ionescu without receiving a penalty.
Sophie Cunningham discusses Breanna Stewart
Sophie Cunningham also questioned a separate sequence involving Angel Reese and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart. She described contact that sent Stewart to the floor after play had stopped during the October 9 semifinal.
Cunningham asked why officials did not call a foul on that possession. She acknowledged Reese’s willingness to compete but questioned the contact after play stopped, treating that sequence differently from ordinary physical competition between players.
Sophie Cunningham highlights a loose ball
Sophie Cunningham raised another concern involving Angel Reese and Sabrina Ionescu during a loose-ball sequence. The Fever guard said Reese went toward Ionescu’s legs while trying to secure possession during the October 9 semifinal game.
Cunningham credited Reese for pursuing available rebounds and loose balls, but questioned the contact near her opponent’s knees and ankles. She said players must consider those areas while competing for the ball on the court.
Fun fact: Angel Reese tweeted “manifesting the finals” while watching from home in 2025. Exactly 364 days later, she helped Atlanta reach the championship series.
Angel Reese faces playoff technical limits
Angel Reese entered the 2026 WNBA Finals with 2 postseason technical fouls and received none in Game 1 against Golden State. A player’s 4th playoff technical triggers an automatic 1-game suspension.
If Reese had received an unsportsmanlike technical for following Sabrina Ionescu, the later technical involving Jonquel Jones would have been her 2nd in Game 3. Two unsportsmanlike technicals in the same game require ejection.
Angel Reese earns award after standout season
Angel Reese scored a team-high 22 points and collected 9 rebounds in Atlanta’s semifinal-clinching victory over New York. She also blocked 2 shots and scored 10 first-quarter points, including 2 baskets from the 3-point range.
Reese won the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the league with 12.1 rebounds per game. She also averaged 1.8 steals and recorded 32 blocks during the regular season.
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Golden State Valkyries prepare for Atlanta
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-64 at Chase Center on October 17 to take a 1-0 lead in the 2026 WNBA Finals. Golden State reached the championship series by sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 3-0.
The Valkyries finished the regular season 32-12, 2 games ahead of Atlanta’s 30-14 record, and won all 3 regular-season meetings. The Finals use a best-of-7 format, with Game 2 scheduled for October 19 at Chase Center.
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Do you agree with Sophie Cunningham that Angel Reese deserved a technical foul for following Sabrina Ionescu, or should officials have let the exchange continue? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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