Angel Reese has spoken out about her critical missed layup in the dying seconds of regulation against the Indiana Fever, an event that preceded a noticeable reaction from opposing star Caitlin Clark and intense social media scrutiny.
The Atlanta Dream ultimately lost to the Fever 95–91 in overtime on Sunday, with Reese's miss denying her team a chance to secure the win before the extra period. Reese admitted the missed opportunity weighed heavily on her.
"Yeah, I knew how much my team needed me. Like I said last game, it was very tough for me. I didn't sleep, and the competitor in me wanted to win that game so bad," Reese said Tuesday night, following the Dream's 97–82 victory over the Las Vegas Aces. "I replayed that play so many times, but I'm like: Why would I let one moment dictate everything else that I have going on that is positive?"
During the final moments of Sunday's game, with the score tied at 81-81, teammate Rhyne Howard's three-point attempt fell short, landing in Reese's hands near the basket. Despite a clear look, Reese missed the layup attempt. A subsequent scramble for the rebound by Naz Mitjons also failed to result in a score, sending the game into overtime.
A broadcast captured Clark, a guard for the Fever, smiling and appearing to chuckle as she walked past Reese, who had her face buried in her hands. This moment, along with Reese's miss, became a focal point for commentary and criticism online.
Reese, who registered 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals in her bounce-back performance against the Aces on Tuesday, emphasized the importance of moving past the single play. "So just being able to show up again for my team. It would have been negative for me not to come out tonight and just bounce back, and I knew they expected it from me," she stated.
Her comments come after the missed shot and Clark's reaction generated significant discussion and memes on social media platforms, with some commentators and users offering harsh critiques of Reese's performance.