The New York Liberty suffered a defeat against the Atlanta Dream on Monday (9/21), marking not only a loss but also ending Breanna Stewart’s impressive nine-year streak without receiving a technical foul. Stewart became frustrated when officials didn’t call a foul after Angel Reese stole the ball from her with less than two minutes remaining, a play where Reese clearly slapped Stewart’s wrist, as shown on the replay.
After the game, Stewart expressed her displeasure, saying, “She slapped the s— out of my hand. You gotta see that.” Before Monday, Stewart’s last technical foul was back in 2017, bringing her career total to three now. Stewart, who was once teammates with Reese on Team USA, remarked that Reese should be responsible for the fine associated with the technical foul.
Prior to the loss to Atlanta, the Liberty recognized Stewart and the other six players on their roster who had competed in the women’s FIBA World Cup. Stewart was named MVP of that tournament earlier this month after leading the U.S. to a fifth straight gold medal.
Currently, Stewart is averaging 20.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this season, with shooting percentages of 47.4% from the field, 25.4% from three-point range, and 84.1% from the free-throw line. The Liberty hold a 26-17 record, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference and eighth overall in the league, and have already secured their playoff spot.
On the other side, Angel Reese is putting up averages of 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in her first season with Atlanta. She’s shooting 45.3% from the field, 19.6% from beyond the arc, and 71.9% from the line. The Dream have a 29-14 record, leading the Eastern Conference and ranking fourth league-wide. Reese is heading to the playoffs for the first time in her WNBA career after missing them in 2024 and 2025 while with the Chicago Sky.
New York and Atlanta will face off again on September 23. Monday’s 95-84 home loss to Atlanta officially dashed New York’s hopes of securing a top-four seed in the 2026 playoffs.
Fan Take: This moment is significant for WNBA fans as it highlights the intense competitiveness and rivalries growing within the league. Breanna Stewart’s streak ending and the rising talent of Angel Reese underscore the evolving landscape of women’s basketball, promising even more thrilling matchups in the future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
