Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream will miss one game and incur a $1,500 fine after receiving an automatic suspension for her eighth technical foul of the WNBA season. The penalty was assessed following an incident with Carla Leite of the Portland Fire late in the third quarter of their game on August 28.
Reese expressed disbelief at the call, protesting to officials that she was pushed by Leite before any contact. Despite her reaction, referees issued the technical foul. The Atlanta Dream plan to appeal the decision, with head coach Karl Smesko stating that he did not believe the incident warranted a technical foul and expressing hope for its rescission after reviewing film.
The suspension comes shortly after Reese achieved significant milestones. She tied Alyssa Thomas' league record for most double-doubles in a single season with her 28th. Additionally, Reese set a new Atlanta Dream single-season record for defensive rebounds, contributing to her league-leading 458 total rebounds for the season. Her average of 12.4 rebounds per game is also a WNBA single-season high.
The game against the Minnesota Lynx, which Reese will miss, is the final matchup for the Dream before the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup break. The team currently holds the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings and fifth overall in the league, having secured a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season. Upon returning after the break, the Dream will have four games remaining in the regular season as they aim to improve their seeding for the postseason.