Angel Reese has never been shy about embracing the physical side of basketball, and her latest showdown with Alyssa Thomas delivered another memorable moment in what is quickly becoming one of the WNBA’s most intense rivalries.

During the Atlanta Dream matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on May 24, Reese appeared to get a little revenge on Thomas in a sequence that immediately reminded fans of their heated battles from previous seasons. This time, however, the moment came with a humorous twist that even Thomas seemed to appreciate.

The play occurred while Reese was battling for a rebound during a free throw attempt. As players fought for position in the paint, Angel hooked her arm around Mercury forward Kyara Linskens and sent her to the floor. Officials reviewed the play and eventually assessed Reese with a flagrant one foul.

Reese’s reaction afterward stole attention

As referees discussed the call, television cameras caught Reese shrugging her shoulders before looking toward Thomas and seemingly saying, “I learned that from you!” not once, but twice. Thomas immediately appeared to laugh at the comment, creating a rare lighthearted moment between two players who usually bring out the most physical side of each other.

For longtime WNBA followers, the exchange carried extra meaning because Reese and Thomas already have plenty of history. Back on May 25, 2024, almost exactly two years earlier, Thomas was ejected after a controversial play in which she aggressively threw Reese to the hardwood while the two battled for a rebound. The sequence instantly went viral and became one of the defining physical moments of Reese’s rookie season. Officials handed Thomas a flagrant two foul and an ejection for the incident.

Their rivalry intensified again on May 27, 2025, when Reese delivered a hard screen that knocked Thomas to the floor. As Alyssa fell, she grabbed Reese’s jersey and appeared to try pulling her down with her, leading to another foul call and another heated exchange between the stars.

Major differences between plays

Now, the latest chapter arrived in 2026 with Reese appearing to jokingly reference Thomas’ earlier takedown while committing a similar-looking play herself. The major difference was the punishment. Angel received only a flagrant one foul for the contact involving Linskens, while Thomas’ 2024 incident resulted in a much harsher flagrant two and immediate ejection.

The moment also highlighted why Reese has become one of the most polarizing and authentic personalities in women’s basketball. Even before turning 25 years old, Angel has built a reputation as a player who fully embraces confrontation, emotion, and competitive intensity without trying to soften her personality for public approval.

While much of the mainstream attention surrounding Reese has centered on her rivalry with Caitlin Clark, many dedicated WNBA fans believe her ongoing battles with Thomas have become even more intense from a basketball standpoint. Every matchup between the two stars seems to include physical play, emotional exchanges, and moments that quickly spread online.