Angel Reese didn't mince words after Atlanta Dream's shocking WNBA All-Star snub

The Atlanta Dream have spent much of the 2026 season establishing themselves as one of the WNBA's biggest surprises. That's why Thursday's All-Star announcement left Angel Reese frustrated.

Despite Atlanta sitting near the top of the standings for much of the season, not a single Dream player was voted into the WNBA All-Star starting lineup. Reese didn't hide her feelings afterward, calling the result a "slap in the face" while passionately defending teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.

Angel Reese blasts All-Star voting after Dream shut out

Speaking after the All-Star starters were announced, Reese made it clear she wasn't upset for herself. Instead, she believed Howard and Gray deserved much more recognition.

"I expect to be disrespected," Reese told reporters.

"For those two though, I think they work so hard and they put a lot of work in, and the way that they're guarded every game and they have to adjust. The reason why we're where we are is because of those two."

She then summed up her feelings in blunt fashion.

"For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face, but they're not going to say anything. I am."

The comments immediately became one of the biggest reactions following Thursday's All-Star reveal.

MORE: New WNBA All-Star hit with fine after Flagrant 1 foul involving Brittney Griner

Why Angel Reese believes Atlanta deserved more

Reese has a compelling argument. Atlanta opened the season as one of the WNBA's hottest teams and remains firmly in the playoff picture despite dropping four straight games.

Howard has been one of the league's most complete guards, averaging 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game while frequently drawing the opponent's toughest perimeter defender. Gray has been equally impressive, posting 18.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while continuing to establish herself as one of the WNBA's most efficient scorers.

Reese has also put together another outstanding campaign, averaging 14.8 points and 11.6 rebounds while recording her third consecutive double-double season. Yet when the starters were announced, Atlanta was left without a representative.

Fierce competition at guard shaped the voting

The voting process combines fan voting (50%), current players (25%) and a media panel (25%), making it one of the league's most balanced selection systems.

This year's starting guards were:

• Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)

• Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)

• Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)

• Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever)

Each has put together an All-Star-caliber season, making the race for four guard spots especially competitive. Howard ultimately finished fifth among guards in the final voting, while Gray placed sixth—both narrowly missing out on starting spots despite strong campaigns.

Interestingly, Howard finished second among guards in the players' vote, suggesting she received significant respect from fellow WNBA players even though the fan vote pushed her out of the starting lineup.

Dream stars could still be headed to Chicago

While Reese was disappointed by Thursday's announcement, Atlanta's All-Star hopes are far from over. League head coaches will select the 12 reserves, including three guards, five frontcourt players and two additional players regardless of position.

Given their performances this season, Howard and Gray appear to have strong cases to earn reserve selections. Reese could also receive the call after another dominant year on the glass.

If that happens, the Dream could still have multiple representatives at All-Star Weekend—even if, as Reese put it, Thursday's starter voting felt like "a slap in the face."

More WNBA news:

• New WNBA All-Star hit with fine after Flagrant 1 foul involving Brittney Griner
• Sophie Cunningham questions WNBA after Caitlin Clark's surprising omission from anniversary poster
• Olivia Nelson-Ododa "stuns" with pregame outfit before Connecticut Sun game
• Angel Reese inches closer to WNBA suspension after latest technical foul vs. Mystics
• Angel Reese headlines notable omissions from 2026 WNBA All-Star starting lineup