Controversy and Tensions Rise in WNBA Finals

Fox News host Will Cain criticized the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries for leaving the court during the national anthem. This action conflicted with league policy, as discussed on ‘The Will Cain Show.’

Following Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, Dream head coach Karl Smesko defended star player Angel Reese. Smesko argued that officials overlooked excessive contact on Reese, who is the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

I give [the Valkyries] credit for playing good defense. They’re known for their defense, Smesko said. But I want to have Angel’s back here. The contact on Angel compared to everybody else is just ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

The Dream’s 64-55 loss to the Valkyries put them on the brink of elimination. Despite Reese’s offensive struggles, she secured 15 rebounds. The series moves to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.

Smesko expressed frustration with the officiating, accusing officials of making numerous errors in calls regarding Reese. He also highlighted potential missed violations by the Valkyries. Reese shared her coach’s concerns, indicating she’s accustomed to physical play and questionable officiating throughout the season.

If Reese’s teammates struggled with physical contact, Reese herself faced similar challenges. I am still trying to figure out how to play through the physicality, she noted. It’s a little frustrating when teammates are knocked off or slapped to the floor.

Despite her standout performance during the season, Reese faced foul trouble in Game 5, limiting her impact. She noted a shift in officiating dynamics after the Dream took a 2-1 series lead.

Golden State coach Natalie Nakase expected the physical nature of the series, considering both teams’ defensive focus. Both teams really want to win this, Nakase said. You have an Atlanta Dream team that’s well-coached, that have dogs, same as us.

The Dream’s limited free throws in Game 5 marked the fewest in their playoff run. Reese observed a stark change in officiating tendencies as the series progressed, highlighting tensions and challenges in this defensive battle. The 64 points scored by Golden State represented the lowest by a winning team in a WNBA Finals game since 2005.

As the series continues, both Smesko and Reese await potential consequences for their comments on officiating. The league has previously penalized players and coaches for criticizing referees. Last year’s playoffs witnessed fines imposed on coaches for similar remarks.

Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta at 12:30 p.m. ET, scheduled to avoid conflict with an Atlanta Hawks game.

I hope everyone gets to see it somehow, and I know for some people, it’s not realistic – they have jobs and won’t be able to make it, Smesko stated. I’m disappointed for that, but I’m hopeful as many people can see the game as possible.