'Refs Let Angel Reese Get Away': Two No-Calls in Two Possessions Just Ignited the WNBA Finals

Short answer: In Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese made contact to Gabby Williams' face on one second-half possession and to Veronica Burton's face on a layup attempt soon after — and neither was called a foul. The clips went viral, a broadcaster posted that the "refs let Angel Reese get away" with them, and Chase Center fans chanted at the officials. Golden State won anyway, 68-64, to take a 1-0 lead.

What happened in Game 1?

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-64 on Saturday, October 17, at Chase Center in San Francisco. It was a defensive grind: Golden State shot 33%, Atlanta 32%, and Atlanta managed just eight fourth-quarter points. Golden State closed on a 7-0 run, with Gabby Williams scoring six of those points from the free-throw line. Williams finished with 26 points, the most of any player.

Reese had two very different halves. She scored 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting in the first quarter alone — becoming, as the WNBA noted, the fifth player in league history with at least 11 points on better than 80% shooting in the opening quarter of a Finals game. She finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but made no shots over the final three quarters, and her second half became about the two plays everyone is still arguing about.

The two no-calls everyone is talking about

Play one — Gabby Williams: With Reese pushing the ball on offense in the second half, she spun to protect it from Williams and her elbow caught Williams in the face. Williams was left clutching her face. No foul was called.

Play two — Veronica Burton: On a following possession, Burton drove for a layup against Naz Hillmon. Reese came in from behind with both hands up for the block, missed the ball, and her arm hit Burton in the face, sending her to the floor holding her face. Again, there was no foul — and no review. Replays shown in the arena only poured fuel on the reaction.

Why it's blowing up

WNBA broadcaster Robin Lundberg summed up the viral reaction on X: "Refs let Angel Reese get away with two blatant fouls, no call." Inside the building, reporter Madisyn Cunningham described Burton taking "an extra beat to get back up" after being "clobbered in the mouth," and noted "ref you suck" chants rolling through Chase Center — especially when Reese was then called for a foul on Williams at the other end.

The debate is not one-sided. Reese's defenders note that Finals basketball is always physical, the game was whistle-light throughout — 27 combined personal fouls in a bruising defensive battle — and Reese, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, was contesting plays she is expected to contest. Her critics answer that face contact is face contact. That tension is why the clips keep getting shared.

What Reese said after the game

Reese did not address the no-calls directly, but she owned her quiet second half: the Valkyries did not really do anything to slow her down — "Maybe that was just on me. I wasn't aggressive enough with the ball" — and her plan is to go "back into the film room." The message was accountability, not officiating.

Key facts

Final score: Golden State Valkyries 68, Atlanta Dream 64 — Valkyries lead the Finals 1-0.
Top scorer: Gabby Williams, 26 points for Golden State, including six points in the closing 7-0 run.
Reese's line: 14 points and 12 rebounds, with 11 of those points coming in the first quarter.
The viral plays: Uncalled face contact on Williams and on Burton in the second half; neither play was reviewed.
The reaction: "Ref you suck" chants at Chase Center and a viral "refs let Angel Reese get away" post from broadcaster Robin Lundberg.

What's next

Game 2 is Monday, October 19, at Chase Center, tipping off at 8 p.m. ET on USA and Peacock. Golden State remains unbeaten at home in these playoffs, and Atlanta badly wants to avoid an 0-2 hole before the series shifts home. Expect the officiating under a microscope from the opening tip — every hard Reese contest is now going to be replayed and argued about in real time.

Sources

FAQ

What did Angel Reese do in WNBA Finals Game 1?

Reese made uncalled face contact with Gabby Williams on one second-half possession and with Veronica Burton on a layup attempt shortly after. Neither play was called a foul or reviewed, and both clips went viral.

Who won Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals?

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-64 at Chase Center on October 17, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Gabby Williams led all scorers with 26 points.

What were Angel Reese's stats in Game 1?

Reese finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Eleven of her points came in the first quarter, when she shot 5-for-6 from the field.

When is Game 2 of the WNBA Finals?

Game 2 is Monday, October 19, at Chase Center in San Francisco, tipping off at 8 p.m. ET and airing on USA and Peacock.