Dream coach Karl Smesko calls WNBA Finals officiating ‘just ridiculous’ as Angel Reese also questions refs
Dream head coach Karl Smesko came to Angel Reese’s defense after the Atlanta dropped Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.
Smesko argued officials missed what he considered a "ridiculous" amount of contact against Atlanta's star forward and the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
"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," Smesko said after the 64-55 loss Monday to the Golden State Valkyries.
Reese finished Game 5 with seven points as the loss pushed the Dream to the brink of elimination. Although she seemed to struggled offensively, Reese still pulled down 15 rebounds. The series now shifts back to Atlanta on Thursday for Game 6.
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Smesko added a blunt assessment of the officiating in the WNBA Finals: "You can't be at this level and make that many mistakes."
Smesko’s primary frustration centered on what he believed were several missed calls involving Reese. He also pointed to possible missed double-dribble and traveling violations by the Valkyries. Reese echoed her coach’s sentiments, suggesting this series was not the first time she contended with physical play and questionable officiating this year.
"I am still trying to figure out how to play through the physicality," said Reese, who was also called for four personal fouls. "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."
The three-time All-Star continued: "I know I have the mismatch, especially talking about matchups. 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."
WNBA FINALS GAME 6, A POTENTIAL TITLE-CLINCHER, WILL BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOON ON THURSDAY
Reese was also held to single-digit scoring in Game 4, finishing the 67-62 loss with eight points.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase argued the physical nature of Game 5 was to be expected this late in a championship series.
"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."
As a team, the Dream attempted 14 free throws in Game 5, their fewest in a playoff game this postseason.
Reese pointed to a shift in the way officials have called games as the series has gone on. "It definitely shifted when we went up 2-1," Reese said. "I don't know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn."
Game 5 was defined by defense, with both the Dream and Valkyries struggling to generate consistent offense. Golden State’s 64 points marked the lowest total by a team that won a WNBA Finals game since 2005.
Fox News Digital and OutKick contacted the WNBA for comment and asked whether Smesko or Reese could face fines for their remarks about the officiating.
Players and coaches have recently been disciplined for criticizing referees. During last year’s playoffs, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon and Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White were each fined $1,000 during the semifinals after making comments critical of the officiating.
Hammon’s and White’s comments came in support of Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, whose own words about the officiating prompted the league to issue her a one-game suspension.
Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals is scheduled for Thursday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The game will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET after the NBA, WNBA, Atlanta Hawks, Dream and arena reached an agreement to accommodate both teams and avoid disrupting the Hawks’ game later that night.
"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."