The Atlanta Dream faced the Las Vegas Aces on Monday night in Atlanta. The game was also a celebration of Reese, whom Atlanta acquired over the offseason via a trade with the Chicago Sky.
The game was themed “Barbie Night” in celebration of both Reese’s nickname and her recently debuted signature Barbie doll with Mattel, featuring Reese’s ponytail, pink nails, and an all-pink game-day look.
Before the game, the All-Star forward spoke about the importance of having a doll that black girls could see themselves in.
“I didn’t have a lot of dolls because I didn’t have dolls that looked like me much, and that’s why I kind of wanna really wanted to make sure this was super intentional,” she said.
Angel Reese on why she created her Barbie:
“I didn’t have a lot of dolls because I didn’t have dolls that looked like me much, and that’s why I kind of wanna really wanted to make sure this was super intentional …”
Unfortunately for Reese and the Dream, the game didn’t quite go as they’d hoped. Atlanta lost in blowout fashion with a final score of 109-87. Still, Barbie came to play, finishing the contest with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and a +- of -3, which is especially impressive considering the 22-point loss.
This one is questionable
One sequence, however, is leading to a lot of criticism online being tossed Reese’s way. On the play in question, she fired off a backwards shot while Aces star A’ja Wilson was guarding her before running to grab the offensive rebound.
Angel Reese inventing new basketball moves 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wdFfYfiwQI
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) August 4, 2026
Fans on social media did not hold back after watching the sequence.
“This legit feels like the longest running joke ever and I’m not in on it. Never in the history of sports has someone who skill level was this embarrassing be pushed on us like this. I’ll never be gaslit. This one of the worst players to ever play sports,” one fan posted on X.
“I just can’t understand. I blame the media for her lack of skill development. This is what happens when you refuse to honestly critique a player,” another player added.
“I’m not kidding when I ask, if there is any professional player in the history of the NBA and WNBA, that had less feel for the game, touch and/or finesse?” someone else wrote.
Reese has been an All-Star every year she’s been in the WNBA, so there’s no denying she’s an impactful player. That being said, if she wants to reach her full potential, cutting moments like these out of her game will go a long way.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.