Angel Reese Freezes as Kelsey Plum Humiliates Her with Vicious Blow-by—And What Happened Next Was Even Worse

The much-anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky on Sunday night took an unexpected turn when a jaw-dropping moment left Angel Reese visibly shaken — and gave Kelsey Plum a viral highlight that might echo for the rest of the season.

With 4:12 left in the third quarter, Kelsey Plum isolated Angel Reese at the perimeter in a play that would soon set the internet ablaze. After sizing up her defender, Plum executed a rapid crossover followed by an explosive first step, completely freezing Reese in place. The result: an uncontested layup that gave the Sparks a 14-point lead.

But what truly stunned fans and commentators alike wasn’t just the ease of the move — it was what happened after.

Plum turned her head mid-stride after the bucket and delivered what appeared to be a brief but cutting remark in Reese’s direction. While the exact words were unclear, Reese’s reaction spoke volumes. The rookie forward seemed momentarily stunned, almost forgetting to rejoin the play as the ball was inbounded. Teammates could be seen urging her to shake it off.

That hesitation — just seconds long — turned into a nightmare for the Sky.

In the very next possession, Reese was slow to recover defensively, leaving Sparks forward Dearica Hamby wide open for a corner three. Timeout Chicago.

Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon was visibly frustrated, pulling Reese aside for a stern but supportive chat. While cameras didn’t capture the audio, Reese’s face said everything: embarrassed, frustrated, and rattled.

Analysts quickly pointed out the mental side of the play. “This is what happens when you let someone get in your head,” former WNBA player Renee Montgomery said during the postgame breakdown. “Plum didn’t just win the play — she won the moment.”

Social media had a field day, with fans split between calling it a “learning lesson” and accusing Plum of “bullying a rookie.” However, veteran voices like Candace Parker were quick to defend the fiery competition. “This is what the league needs. Fire. Edge. Swagger,” Parker tweeted. “Rookies don’t get free passes.”

Angel Reese addressed the incident later in the locker room, saying, “I take it. I’ll learn. I’m not running from anything.”

But critics have pointed to this moment as symbolic of Reese’s difficult transition from college dominance to professional basketball reality. The speed, intensity, and psychological warfare of the WNBA are unlike anything she’s faced before — and veterans like Kelsey Plum are quick to expose those growing pains.

Still, this may be exactly the kind of adversity Reese needs. The league is watching. Her fans are watching. And whether this moment breaks her or builds her might define her rookie season.

One thing’s for sure: the next Sparks-Sky showdown just became must-see TV.