Angel Reese’s taunt backfires: Rookie’s struggles overshadow bold move against WNBA star

Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s standout rookie known for her rebounding prowess, found herself at the center of an on-court controversy after a bold taunt aimed at WNBA All-Star Alyssa Thomas fell flat.  Despite averaging an impressive 12.6 rebounds per game and holding the record for consecutive 20-rebound games, Reese’s offensive struggles were on full display during Friday night’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun, and her bravado didn’t quite match her performance.

The rookie forward struggled to find her rhythm, shooting a dismal 3-of-12 from the field, landing a mere 25% of her shots despite Connecticut’s defense allowing her multiple open looks.

ICYMI: Angel Reese too small taunt on Alyssa Thomas 🥶pic.twitter.com/D38lA81Og6

— YouWager.lv (@YouWager_FF) August 25, 2024

Angel’s taunt bad timing

However, Reese wasn’t deterred from flaunting her confidence. In a key moment, she drove into the paint against Thomas, one of the league’s strongest players and a recent Olympic gold medalist.  After backing down Thomas and missing her initial layup, Reese grabbed her own rebound and scored on the second attempt. Seizing the moment, she turned to Thomas and threw up the infamous “too little” celebration.

But the celebration quickly turned into a blunder. With her shooting struggles casting a shadow over her performance, the taunt failed to land the way Reese might have hoped. The Sky ultimately fell to 11-17, and Reese’s offensive woes contributed to the tough 82-80 loss.

⚔️ Angel Reese & Alyssa Thomas savaşı kaldığı yerden devam ediyor!

🔥 Önce Angel, AT üstünden sayıyı bulup çok küçük olduğunu gösteriyor. Ardından Alyssa Thomas sol eliyle Reese üzerinden sayısını atıp seviniyor. pic.twitter.com/YbuFdbok9t

— ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ 👻 (@CoachRookie) August 25, 2024

Angel still is Rookie of the Year material

Despite her rough night, Reese’s confidence hasn’t wavered throughout her rookie season. Averaging 13.6 points per game, she remains a key contributor to the team, even as opponents begin to exploit her offensive weaknesses.

Her smack talk to Thomas, one of the league’s most respected players, has made waves on social media, with over 20 fan accounts posting clips of the moment, racking up more than 30,000 combined views.

As the Sky’s rookie continues to develop her game, the WNBA world will be watching to see if she can turn her swagger into consistent success, both on the boards and in the scoring column.