Angel Reese heard the criticism and the disrespect. Coming off a rough 5-for-16 shooting night against the Indiana Fever where she missed multiple point-blank layups, she straightened things out against the Las Vegas Aces. Reese led her Atlanta Dream to a win, grinding out 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
Angel Reese Hits All Nine Shots, Sets Dream Record: Caitlin Clark Struggles
Thursday’s game against the woeful Los Angeles Sparks was the kind of efficient offensive performance Reese needed. She not only hit all nine of her shots from the field—including two 3-pointers to set a franchise record for field goals without a miss—but her 18 first-half points alone surpassed Caitlin Clark’s entire game total (10 points) in the Indiana Fever’s 91–85 loss to the Dallas Wings.
Quite a turn of events from Sunday, when Reese missed several crucial late layups, including the potential game-winner against Clark’s team. While CC struggled to find her shot, Reese turned in the best offensive game of her WNBA career, showing that she can respond to criticism and channel negative comments about her game into motivation on the court.
It certainly helped that she was playing against a struggling 12–24 Los Angeles Sparks team whose defense leaves much to be desired. The team’s only true post force is Cameron Brink, who is mid at best. But you could see that Reese was feeling herself when she hit a three-pointer early on. It had to feel good to produce such an efficient game in the midst of so much criticism.
WNBA Fans React To Angel Reese’s Record-Breaking Game
Angel Reese shut every hater up the way you’re supposed to do it. Not via a slick or confrontational social media post. Not in a press conference. But on the court. It’s the only way to shut down people who undervalue your legacy and insult your game. Despite Reese’s “revenge game” some fans still refuse to give her credit.
“Wake me up when she do it against real competition,” one user commented, unwilling to give Reese her props.
“This has gotta be AI, Reese cannot make a basket…,” added another fan.
While the anti-Reese crowd is always going to discredit her wins, pure hoops fans had to give the 6-foot-3 double-double machine her props.
“I’m glad you posted the Queen’s stats from last nights game. Post CC’s numbers from her game too since people like to compare whenever CC has a great game,” said one fan referring to Clark’s 10-point night on an abysmal 4-of-15 shooting from the field.
“EXTREMELY impressive defensively. She’s very long, good hands, quick feet, good eyes and anticipation with an extremely high IQ. Love her potential,” a netizen remarked.
“I’ll give Angel her flowers this game. Almost a triple double on perfect shooting…she played well,” one user commented.
“She is a GREAT basketball player! Also, a beautiful young lady! Give her flowers now, so you don’t feel/look STUPID, when she finishes with a HALL OF FAME career!!!,” insisted one X user.
“CC supremacist still wants you to believe she’s the worst player in the league and having a bad season,” an Angel Reese fan expressed.
Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese Are Both Still Building Great Careers: One Game Is Not A Career Make
Caitlin Clark fans have made a career of trying to demean Reese, who has also had historic games and contributions to the league since entering in 2024. Clark is of course a high-volume shooter who is deadly when her jumper is working. She’s been covered to the point of obsession by the media and her name thrust into political and racial discourse that have nothing to do with hoops, but has raised her visibility and appeal, in some cases. It’s easily arguable, however, that Reese is the most important piece on her team because of her offensive and defensive responsibilities. Clark, who is among the league’s best scorers, has the luxury of Kelsey Mitchell playing alongside her. Mitchell’s 30 points couldn’t make up for Clark’s poor play against Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings.
Just as in their rookie campaign — when Clark took an early lead in the Rookie of the Year race before Reese’s historic streak of double-doubles tightened the debate — don’t count out the “Dream Barbie.” When Reese is focused she’s more than capable of being a supreme threat on both sides of the court.
