{
  "id": 13310009,
  "title": "WNBA Fans Rip Refs Over Angel Reese Confrontation as Dream Eliminate Liberty",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/wnba-fans-rip-refs-over-angel-reese-confrontation-as-dream-eliminate",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-10T03:01:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/wnba-fans-rip-refs-over-angel-reese-confrontation-as-dream-eliminate-liberty-12550173"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a highly charged and physical game at Barclays Center, the Atlanta Dream secured a nail-biting 85-83 victory over the New York Liberty. The tension reached a boiling point when Dream forward Angel Reese faced off against Liberty player Jonquel Jones in the first half, leading to both receiving technical fouls. As fans watched closely, concerns grew that Reese might receive another technical foul on repeated occasions. In one particular play, Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu committed a hard screen on a Dream player, prompting Ionescu to receive a foul. Reese followed closely behind, verbally confronting her, which could have resulted in a technical foul. ESPN commentator Rebecca Lobo noted that Reese's behavior should result in a technical foul. Fans expressed their displeasure with the officiating on social media, calling the referees \"the worst in sports\" and accusing them of being \"awful\" and \"consistent.\" Despite the controversial plays, Dream forward Caitlin Clark finished the game with 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal, helping her team secure the win and a spot in the WNBA Finals.",
  "summary": "In an intense Dream-Liberty Game 3, WNBA fans slammed referees for not calling a technical on Angel Rees during a confrontation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Reese, Howard help the Dream sweep Liberty and advance to WNBA Finals for first time since 2013",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/reese-howard-help-the-dream-sweep-liberty-and-advance-to-wnba-finals",
        "published": "2026-10-10T01:54:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Liberty swept out of playoffs after 85-83 loss to Dream in Game 3",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/liberty-swept-out-of-playoffs-after-85-83-loss-to-dream-in-game-3",
        "published": "2026-10-10T02:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Angel Reese Leads Dream to First WNBA Finals in 13 Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/angel-reese-leads-dream-to-first-wnba-finals-in-13-years",
        "published": "2026-10-10T03:07:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}