Fans FURIOUS at Karl Smesko For NOT Defending Angel Reese on No-Calls! | DID IZZY TRY TO HURT ANGEL?

Fans are criticizing Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko's postgame comments about Angel Reese's physical treatment and a notable flagrant foul in their recent game. This stems from the Atlanta Dream's 102-77 blowout win over the Toronto Tempo on June 14, 2026. Angel Reese posted 15 points and 17 rebounds (including a career-high 11 offensive boards), but the game featured heavy physical play in the paint. In the third quarter, Toronto's Isabelle Harrison (a former Sky teammate of Reese) committed a hard foul on Reese—described as a two-armed tackle/pull-down—that was upgraded to a Flagrant 2, resulting in Harrison's ejection. Smesko's Response When asked about the incident and Reese's handling of it, Smesko focused on composure and mental toughness rather than criticizing the officials or the physicality:"Definitely, it's one of those situations where she's going to be inside, she's going to be physical, and sometimes not getting the calls, you know, have to manage it. You can't control it, so you just gotta keep playing. I thought she did that tonight, and I think that's a large reason why she had such a great second half of the game." He praised Reese for staying focused and contributing effectively despite the contact. Fan Reactions Many Dream/Reese fans were frustrated and wanted a stronger defense of Reese (and criticism of officiating). Common complaints online included:Smesko being too passive and not calling out missed fouls or the rough treatment Reese often absorbs as an interior player. Expectations that "championship coaches" publicly advocate for their stars more aggressively (comparisons to coaches like Becky Hammon or others). Broader frustration with Reese's low free-throw attempts and perceived lack of protection throughout the season. This fits a recurring theme in Reese's career: her rebounding/physical style draws a lot of contact, but fans and some analysts argue she doesn't always get the whistles (a point she's voiced in the past too). Smesko's coaching style tends to be measured—he avoids using the media to bash refs and emphasizes what his team can control. YouTube videos and recaps (postgame pressers, highlights) are blowing up with this discussion right now. If you're looking for a specific video, search for "Karl Smesko Angel Reese Toronto" or "Atlanta Dream postgame vs Tempo"—plenty of fan reaction and full presser clips are out there. The Dream play the Indiana Fever next, so expect more spotlight on this. #AngelReese #KarlSmesko #AtlantaDream #WNBA #WNBAOfficiating #ReeseNoCalls #PhysicalityInThePaint #FlagrantFoul #DreamVsTempo #IsabelleHarrison #WNBAFouls #AngelReeseRebounding #ProtectOurStars #WomensBasketball #AtlantaDreamBasketball