Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko criticized the officiating in the WNBA Finals after his team fell 64-55 to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 5 on Monday, a loss that pushed Atlanta to the edge of elimination heading into Game 6 at State Farm Arena on Thursday.
Smesko said the Valkyries deserved credit for their defense but argued that star forward Angel Reese, the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was absorbing contact that officials were not calling.
“I give [the Valkyries] credit for playing good defense, they’re known for their defense,” Smesko said. “But I want to have Angel’s back here. The contact on Angel compared to everybody else is just ridiculous. Just ridiculous.”
Reese scored just seven points in Game 5 while grabbing 15 rebounds. She also picked up four personal fouls. It was her second low-scoring game of the series; she finished with eight points in Atlanta’s 67-62 loss in Game 4.
Smesko didn’t stop at Reese’s treatment. He also said he saw missed double-dribble and traveling violations by Golden State and offered a broader critique of the officiating crew.
“You can’t be at this level and make that many mistakes,” Smesko said.
Reese backed up her coach, saying the physical play has been a season-long issue for her, not just a Finals problem.
“I am still trying to figure out how to play through the physicality,” Reese said. “I’m kind of used to it because this was happening throughout the season, so I have to just continue to play through it. But honestly, for my teammates, when they’re getting slapped to the floor or knocked off, it’s a little frustrating.”
Reese also pointed to her size advantage over some defenders, saying she’s penalized for using it.
“I know I have the mismatch, especially talking about matchups,” she said. “So when I do switch on the post and I’m a lot stronger than the opponent, I should be able to turn and they’re calling an offensive foul. But when I’m getting pushed before that, it’s frustrating to me.”
The Dream attempted just 14 free throws in Game 5, their fewest in any playoff game this postseason. Reese said she noticed the officiating change once Atlanta took a 2-1 series lead.
“It definitely shifted when we went up 2-1,” Reese said. “I don’t know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn.”
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase pushed back on the idea that anything unusual was happening, framing the physicality as typical for a championship series between two defense-first teams.
“Both teams really want to win this,” Nakase said. “These are two defensive-minded teams … they like physicality, so that’s part of it. I ain’t shocked about this. You have an Atlanta Dream team that’s well-coached, that have dogs, same as us.”
Game 5’s 64 points by Golden State marked the lowest total by a winning team in a WNBA Finals game since 2005, underscoring how defensive the series has become.
Fox News Digital and OutKick reported that they contacted the WNBA to ask whether Smesko or Reese could face fines over their comments. The league has fined or suspended coaches for criticizing officiating before — Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon and Indiana coach Stephanie White were each fined $1,000 last year’s playoffs after speaking out in support of Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, who herself drew a one-game suspension for similar remarks.
Game 6 set for Atlanta
The series returns to State Farm Arena on Thursday for a potential title-clinching Game 6, with tipoff set for 12:30 p.m. ET. The early start was arranged among the NBA, WNBA, Atlanta Hawks, the Dream and the arena to avoid conflicting with a Hawks game later that evening.
“I hope everyone gets to see it somehow and I know for some people it’s not realistic — they have jobs and won’t be able to make it,” Smesko said. “I’m disappointed for that, but I’m hopeful as many people can see the game as possible.”
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