Angel Reese had been one of the biggest reasons the Atlanta Dream took control of the WNBA Finals, recording a double-double in each of the first three games and helping her team build a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Valkyries.

But Game 4 brought a very different performance from the three-time All-Star. Reese struggled to finish around the basket as Atlanta suffered a 67-62 home loss on Saturday, allowing Golden State to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2. Her difficult night quickly became a target for frustrated WNBA fans.

WNBA Fans Rip Angel Reese After Rough Game 4 Against Valkyries

The Valkyries found a way to slow Reese down in Game 4, forcing the forward into one of her toughest performances of the postseason. The Dream star finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks, shooting just 2-of-12 from the field. She also committed 6 turnovers and picked up 4 fouls.

The 24-year-old went scoreless in the first quarter and had only four points by halftime. After dominating the glass and delivering consistent production throughout the opening three games, she struggled to convert opportunities near the rim, leaving Atlanta searching for answers in a tight contest.

Author Tom Young took direct aim at the attention Reese receives, writing, “This is who the WNBA is trying to make the face of the league! Angel Reese may have set a record for most layups missed….part of her 2-12 shooting for the game! If overrated had a face, I think we know what it would look like!”

One fan questioned how Atlanta had allowed the series to become a tie despite Golden State’s struggles, arguing, “That’s the Angel Reese we know all too well. Valkyries still playing terrible yet somehow tied 2-2 in this best of 7 with Atlanta.”

The criticism grew sharper as fans continued to take aim at Reese’s shooting struggles. “This [expletive] so embarrassing for the game of basketball man,” one viewer vented.

Another fan blamed the quality of play, declaring, “This is why viewership keeps dropping. Sloppy, poor play.”

Reese, however, acknowledged that she had not been as composed around the basket as she was earlier in the series. Rather than making excuses, she admitted that rushing her attempts had contributed to the disappointing outing.

“I think I rushed a lot of my shots and I didn’t take my time and finish around the basket like I’ve been doing in the last 3 games. It happens,” Reese explained after the game.

With the Finals now tied 2-2, Atlanta will need its star to bounce back quickly. Game 5 shifts to Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday night, where the Dream will face a difficult road test against a Valkyries team that has gone 5-1 at home in the 2026 playoffs.

Golden State will also have the support of its passionate “Ballhalla” crowd as both teams look to take a 3-2 series lead.

Reese and the Dream have already shown they can win on the road against the Valkyries, but after Saturday’s struggles, the pressure will be on Atlanta to prevent Golden State from moving within one game of a championship.