Atlanta Dream’s Playoff-Caliber Title Bid Hits a Wall as Toronto Gets Blown Out—Tempers Flare in a Court Scuffle Between Angel Reese and Isabelle Harrison

Atlanta Dream, a strong contender for the WNBA title, routed Toronto Tempo with overwhelming firepower. But the real highlight of the night wasn’t the final score—it was a vicious on-court collision between former teammates who once shared the same locker room.

■ Atlanta storms back after Toronto’s early momentum fades

On June 15 (Korea time), at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Canada, Atlanta Dream dismantled Toronto Tempo 102-77 in a 2026 WNBA regular-season game.

The early portion of the contest belonged to Toronto, the league’s newest expansion franchise this season. Riding the energy of an electric crowd, Toronto surged ahead by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. But Atlanta, a title contender, didn’t budge. After halftime in the second quarter, it delivered an overwhelming 34-14 scoring run in a flash—turning the game on its head and sending Toronto down a road toward ruin. The star behind Atlanta’s surge was none other than Angel Reese, one of the WNBA’s marquee performers. Reese took full control in the paint and produced a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds, neutralizing Toronto’s defense.

■ “Dragged from behind”… Isabelle Harrison’s dangerous foul on Angel Reese

The moment both teams’ emotions boiled over came in the third quarter, when Atlanta led 52-42. With Angel Reese receiving a pass in the paint and trying to attack the rim with her signature power move, Toronto’s Isabelle Harrison wrapped both of Reese’s arms from behind in a rough tackle and hauled her down to the court.

In an instant, tension spiked across the floor. Players from both teams and officials rushed in between the two to prevent any further collision. Even Reese, known for a strong mental game, couldn’t rein in her emotions immediately after the dangerous foul—she displayed a reaction close to tears.

The referees upgraded Harrison’s foul after a video review, moving it from a standard foul to “Flagrant 2.” Under WNBA rules, a Flagrant 2 results in an immediate ejection, along with two flagrant points and an automatic fine of $1,000.

Her ejection proved costly because, before being sent out, Harrison had been the only bright spot for Toronto—posting 17 points and 3 rebounds on 6-for-11 shooting. With their centerpiece removed, Toronto’s offense froze quickly, and the team was ultimately routed, sliding to a 7-7 record for the season.

■ “It was great defense, but it was too much” vs. “A dangerous injury-causing act” — fans debate online

Immediately after the game, social media lit up over the ejection decision. Veteran guard Natasha Cloud, along with players, analysts and fans, each weighed in with their own take.

Some fans argued that “Harrison showed good defense against Reese and matched her with the right matchup energy, but the officials were fooled by Reese’s flop and gave her an ejection.” Others, including the sports outlet “Just Women’s Sports,” pushed back, saying that “Angel Reese couldn’t hide her emotions after being hit with a rough Flagrant 2 foul,” pointing to the danger of the foul that dragged her down.

After the game, Atlanta’s coach Karl Smesko praised Reese’s response. Smesko said, “Reese has to always get into rough physical battles in the paint, and sometimes she doesn’t get the calls she’s due, so she has to manage her emotions herself,” adding, “Today, Reese overcame those rough circumstances well—and that’s what powered her big second-half performance and helped bring the win.”

With the Atlanta Dream now at 9 wins and 4 losses and continuing to rise, the team will travel to Indianapolis on Thursday to face a pivotal matchup against the Indiana Fever, where “rival” Caitlin Clark is set to play.