Angel Reese (Photo via @MarcusD3 Twitter)

Social media is ripping on Chicago Sky star rookie Angel Reese for padding her stats in the waning seconds of Wednesday’s victory over the Atlanta Dream.

Angel Reese extended her WNBA record of consecutive games with a double-double to 14, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds. She led the Sky to a 78-69 victory that improved their record to 9-12.

When a basketball game is essentially out of reach, teams usually just dribble out the clock until the final buzzer. The Dream were seemingly content doing this, trailing 76-69 in the waning seconds.

But Reese, who was at nine points, decided to try and keep the streak going. She drew a foul that sent her to the free-throw line, and Reese made both of them to extend her special streak:

Angel Reese fouled with 6.4 left in game needing one point to continue the WNBA record of her 14th consecutive double-double. Steps to the line makes both. Streak continues and Sky win. pic.twitter.com/gJ7Kh6pNjQ

— ✶ Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ▶️ ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) July 10, 2024

One can understand Reese’s wish to keep the streak going, but countless fans on X/Twitter weren’t happy with the so-called “stat padding.” Here are some of the rather cold reactions to Reese’s move:

This is why people don’t like Angel Reese. This level of stat padding—going full post while your team is up seven with 6.4 seconds remaining—is a joke. pic.twitter.com/wl65OwiAUw

— All Things Chicago Sports (@things_sox) July 10, 2024

 

Angel Reese fans talk about Caitlin Clark stat padding but won't say a word about this. This is a disgrace to competition. https://t.co/Q2ZfnBE33A

— Matt Bradley (@bricksquadmvp) July 10, 2024