Angel Reese catches major break after officials reverse flagrant foul

Angel Reese catches major break after officials reverse flagrant foul originally appeared on The Sporting News .

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Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream enjoyed a comfortable victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, but one fourth-quarter moment could have created another disciplinary headache for the All-Star forward. Reese was initially assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after her elbow made contact with Natasha Mack’s face during Atlanta’s 96-82 win. The officials reviewed the play and ultimately downgraded it to a common offensive foul, allowing Reese to avoid another flagrant point and a $500 fine.

The reversal was significant because Reese entered the game with two Flagrant 1 fouls already on her record this season. Another flagrant point would have moved her one step away from an automatic suspension under WNBA rules.

Why the overturned Angel Reese flagrant mattered

The controversial sequence occurred early in the fourth quarter after Reese grabbed an offensive rebound. Reese attempted to make a quick move toward the basket, but her elbow caught Mack in the face. Officials initially ruled the contact worthy of a Flagrant 1 foul before going to the monitor for a closer look.

Officials take a look on what was called a flagrant foul on Angel Reese. But, it was ruled a common foul #DreamvsMercury #WNBA https://t.co/fHKE8afLwH

— Wilton C. Jackson II (@WiltonReports) August 6, 2026 After reviewing the video, the officiating crew changed the call to a common offensive foul. Reese was still charged with the turnover, but the downgrade removed the additional financial and disciplinary consequences. WNBA players receive one flagrant point for a Flagrant 1 and two points for a Flagrant 2. A player who accumulates four flagrant points receives an automatic one-game suspension.

A Flagrant 2 committed by a player who already has three flagrant points results in a two-game suspension. Each flagrant point also brings a $500 fine.

Had the initial ruling stood, Reese would have increased her season total to three points. She then would have faced a suspension with her next Flagrant 1.

Instead, Reese remains at two flagrant points and has a little more breathing room entering the final stretch of the regular season.

Reese also approaching technical foul suspension

Flagrant fouls are not Reese’s only disciplinary concern. The 24-year-old has accumulated seven technical fouls this season. Under WNBA rules, a player receives a one-game suspension after being assessed an eighth technical foul during the regular season.

That means Reese must avoid another technical to remain available for Atlanta. Any additional technical fouls after the initial suspension can also produce further discipline as the total continues to rise.

Reese has never been shy about playing with emotion, and her intensity is an important part of what she brings to the Dream. However, Wednesday’s review provided a reminder of how little margin for error she has left. Losing Reese for even one game could prove costly for an Atlanta team competing for postseason positioning.

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Angel Reese records another double-double in Dream win

The overturned call did not overshadow another productive performance from Reese. She finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and one block, recording another double-double while helping Atlanta control the game. The Dream led by as many as 20 points and never trailed.

Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Allisha Gray contributed 20 points, while Jordin Canada added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

All five Dream starters scored in double figures as Atlanta overwhelmed Phoenix with its balance. The Mercury could not slow down an offense that consistently created quality looks and punished defensive breakdowns.

The 96-82 victory was the most important outcome for Reese and the Dream, but the overturned flagrant was a valuable secondary win.

Reese avoided a fine, remained two points below the flagrant-foul suspension threshold and helped Atlanta complete a convincing performance without adding another disciplinary issue to her season.

More WNBA news:

Caitlin Clark and the Fever stay put in latest WNBA power ranking despite Lynx loss

Why Mercury's Kelsey Plum blockbuster is just crazy enough to work

Angel Reese reveals what she still misses about Chicago after trade to Dream

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