Sports
January 1, WNBA Star Smacked in Face During Heated Game as Physical Play Controversy Explodes
Wyatt’s Take
- Angel Reese got hit in the face during a physical game against Connecticut, sparking another debate about the WNBA’s growing roughness problem
- The league upgraded the foul to Flagrant 1 after review, but this is just the latest in a string of controversial physical incidents this season
- With throat punches, face smacks, and ongoing debates about fairness in women’s sports, the WNBA is facing serious questions about where the line is
Angel Reese had a rough night Thursday in Atlanta’s 104-69 win over Connecticut. The Dream forward missed 10 of her 13 shots and took a hard smack to the face that had her seeing red.
In the second quarter, Reese tried to put up a layup while getting double-teamed. Just as she released the shot, Connecticut’s Aaliyah Edwards brought her hand down right across Reese’s face and head.
Edwards hit the floor after the contact. Reese wheeled around, stood over her, and let her have it with some choice words.
Moments later on the sideline, Reese was gesturing to show where she got hit, pointing at her neck area. After officials reviewed the play, they upgraded Edwards’ foul to a Flagrant 1.
The Dream didn’t address the incident in their postgame press conference. But the foul wasn’t even Reese’s only rough moment of the night.
Early in the first quarter, Brittney Griner swatted one of Reese’s shots into the cheap seats. Griner would end up blocking three of Reese’s attempts before the night was done.
Reese finished with just eight points on 3-of-13 shooting and two turnovers. She did grab 15 rebounds, which is her bread and butter.
Flagrant fouls have become a major storyline in the WNBA this year. Back in June, Alyssa Thomas threw what looked like a throat punch at Caitlin Clark during a game.
Then last Saturday, DiJonai Carrington smacked Sophie Cunningham across the face on a layup attempt. The physical play is getting national attention, and not the good kind.
The league is also dealing with cultural battles over trans athletes in women’s sports. It’s a messy situation all around.
Reese will suit up for Team USA alongside Clark at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany in a few weeks. The entire WNBA is taking a break from what’s been a chaotic season.
Why This Matters
Working families watching women’s basketball deserve to see fair competition and clean play. When physical intimidation becomes the story instead of athletic excellence, something’s gone wrong. The WNBA needs to protect its players and keep the focus on the game, not the drama.
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Cheryl
August 14, 2026 at 6:40 am
I have not watched games- just clips. I was an athlete- coach and teacher- I think it’s disgusting. The trans issue is insane for any athlete to think it was ok for a man like Lia Thomas or the guy who punched the lights out of women in Olympic boxing is just nuts. I trained with men to make me better for woman’s sports-not because I thought I could make their team. Men are bigger stronger more muscle mass so they weigh more- not a fair challenge. Men who are doing this are trying to hurt women. The wnba needs to wake up and remember what fair, healthy and fun competition means.
Bret
August 14, 2026 at 8:35 am
Reese has so many rebounds bc she rebounds her many misses. Why she is in the World Cup. Mediocre at best. Many of these wnba are so average compared to the nba that it’s a joke. Clark has brought to the forefront the fact that the wnba is a woke DEI racist shithole.
jose jimenez
August 14, 2026 at 12:46 pm
“Angel Reese…………..took a hard smack to the face that had her seeing red”. COULDN’T HAPPEN TO A BETTER PERSON!!
Too bad it was just a smack and not a full forearm strike. That might not only have got her attention but might have improved her looks as well.
Pattie S Rotondo
August 14, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Reece is a nasty piece of work, who has been attacking Caitlyn Clark at every opportunity, back to their college play.
Too bad she didn’t have to stop to pick up a couple of teeth after she got hit.
Mel
August 14, 2026 at 5:23 pm
WNBA is getting better but it’s has a long way to go.
Paul Webster
August 15, 2026 at 5:28 pm
The WNBA is a game played below the rim. The women’s game requires a different skill set than NBA. The WNBA is a floor game that will never be like men’s basketball. Women have different athletic abilities that will develop with the league.