Stewart reacts to disputed late-game call
Breanna Stewart picked up her first WNBA technical foul since 2017 after a late-game no-call involving Angel Reese. With 1:57 remaining and New York trailing 88-80, Reese knocked the ball away from Stewart, who believed she was fouled on the play.
Stewart protested to the officials and was assessed a technical during the sequence. Atlanta went on to beat New York 95-84 at Barclays Center.
The play happened late in the fourth quarter
With Atlanta leading by 8 points and less than 2 minutes remaining, Stewart drove toward the basket and attempted a jump shot over Reese.
Reese blocked the shot and collected the defensive rebound. Stewart argued that Reese had hit her hand, but officials did not call a foul on Reese.
Stewart received a technical foul
After the no-call, Stewart continued communicating with the officials near the baseline. She was subsequently assessed a technical foul during the sequence.
The technical was Stewart’s first in the WNBA since 2017 and the third technical foul of her career. The call ended a nine-year stretch without a technical foul for the Liberty forward.
Stewart explained her reaction afterward
During her postgame media availability, Stewart directly connected her technical foul to the disputed no-call. She said she believed Reese had made contact with her hand during the defensive sequence.
Stewart specifically criticized the baseline official for not seeing the contact she believed occurred. Her comments provided her own explanation for why she reacted strongly immediately after the play.
Reese made a key defensive play
Reese’s defensive sequence stopped Stewart from scoring during an important stretch of the fourth quarter. The Atlanta forward secured the ball after the defensive action and helped preserve the Dream’s lead.
The play became one of the final notable possessions before Atlanta completed its 95-84 road victory. WNBA video coverage identified Reese’s steal from Stewart as a late-game defensive highlight.
Stewart finished with 27 points
Despite the disputed sequence, Stewart produced a double-double for New York against Atlanta. She finished with 27 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and one steal while shooting 11-for-19 from the field.
Her 27 points led all players in the game, while her 14 rebounds also established the game high. The performance marked Stewart’s 33rd career game with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Reese recorded a double-double
Reese also delivered a double-double during Atlanta’s victory at Barclays Center. She finished the game with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Dream improved their record to 29-14.
Atlanta received contributions across its lineup, with five players scoring at least 10 points. The balanced production helped the Dream maintain their advantage after taking a 73-62 lead into the fourth quarter.
Interesting fact: Stewart has won three WNBA championships, with titles in 2018, 2020 and 2024. She was also named WNBA Finals MVP in 2018 and 2020.
The result affected New York’s seeding
Atlanta’s 95-84 win over New York on September 21 put the Dream closer to a top-four playoff seed and ended the Liberty’s chance to host a first-round game.
The teams met again on September 23, when Atlanta won 83-65 to secure the No. 4 seed and first-round home-court advantage. New York finished the regular season 26-18 and will enter the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
Interesting fact: Stewart is one of the WNBA’s fastest players to reach major statistical milestones. She reached 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in 55 games.
Stewart and Reese recently shared Team USA
The incident came shortly after Stewart and Reese played together for the United States at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Both players were members of the American roster during the tournament in Berlin, Germany.
The United States defeated France 97-79 in the final to claim its fifth consecutive World Cup championship. Stewart was named tournament MVP, while Reese appeared in all six games for the American team during the competition.
Stewart made World Cup history
Stewart entered the Liberty game after a significant international tournament achievement. She became the first player in FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup history to win the tournament’s MVP award twice.
She previously received the honor in 2018 and earned it again in 2026. In the championship game against France, Stewart recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds as the United States secured another gold medal.
The technical foul became part of the story
Stewart’s technical foul received additional attention because of how rarely she has been assessed one during her WNBA career. Her previous technical foul occurred in 2017, making Monday’s call her first in the league in nine years.
After the game, Stewart said Reese should pay her fine. Stewart made the comment as she was leaving the postgame news conference.
Atlanta secured home court in the rematch
New York and Atlanta met again at Barclays Center on September 23 in their regular-season finale. The Dream won 83-65, finished 30-14 and secured the No. 4 playoff seed with home-court advantage in the first round.
The Liberty finished 26-18 and enter the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. New York is scheduled to face the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx, while Atlanta will face the No. 5 Washington Mystics.
The internet is also talking about Sophie Cunningham revealing a surprising truth about her early WNBA interest.
The no-call remains the central moment
Late in the fourth quarter of New York’s September 21 loss, Reese blocked Stewart’s shot and secured the rebound. No foul was called on Reese, and Stewart received a technical foul after protesting. Stewart later said she believed Reese had hit her hand.
Atlanta won that game 95-84, then beat New York 83-65 in their September 23 regular-season finale. The second win secured the Dream’s No. 4 playoff seed and first-round home-court advantage.
In other news, Congress presses WNBA on eligibility rules after commissioner announces retirement.
What do you think about Breanna Stewart’s reaction to the no-call involving Angel Reese? Like this post and comment your thoughts!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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