Angel Reese and NaLyssa Smith jawing back and forth was one of the best parts of Sunday’s Fever-Sky rivalry game. It got even better after NaLyssa Smith told Angel Reese she was “too small,” and Angel proceeded to cook her up for the rest of the game.
The battle between Reese and Smith was must-see television. The two have history and have been trash-talking each other for years. That wouldn’t stop just because Angel is in the WNBA now. On Sunday, the language exchanged between the pair was so spectacular that a ref came over mid-game super concerned, and they hilariously waved her off.
But that wasn’t all that happened. At one point, NaLyssa hit Angel with a “too small” gesture after a big bucket. Reese responded with her own bucket on the other end and then went to WORK. She ended the night with 25 points, 16 rebounds and one fantastic “I’m a dawg” quote.”
NaLyssa Smith said too small pic.twitter.com/A79u9uAque
— Bri Lewerke (@brilewerke) June 23, 2024
NaLyssa Smith hits Angel Reese with the "too small" and then the next play Angel gets an and-1 on her pic.twitter.com/sRHZjs8vFa
— WNBA Rookie Watch (@WNBARookieWatch) June 23, 2024
Fans loved Angel having a field day against NaLyssa, and they responded with so many incredible memes:
NaLyssa Smith: You too small
Angel Reese: pic.twitter.com/jKDkYXafIH
— Mr. HBCU Anime (@qbesy_e) June 23, 2024
Angel Reese looking at NaLyssa Smith when Smith is guarding her today: pic.twitter.com/TFjocDFmwl
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) June 23, 2024
Angel Reese every time she sees Nalyssa guarding her … pic.twitter.com/Er2ygn3oT8
— △⃒⃘ (@imsoshive_) June 23, 2024
Take your daughter to work day and Angel Reese brought NyLyssa Smith #SkyTown pic.twitter.com/6oTZfI7fEw
— wok (@WokDior) June 23, 2024
NaLyssa Smith leaving the prison Angel just had her in while watching Caitlin & her double double get all of the blame for the loss today: pic.twitter.com/cdcM6ofyVM
— (@YoShowtime) June 23, 2024
NaLyssa Smith 25 seconds after giving Angel the too small. pic.twitter.com/h0AsRo6rzO
— T (@RealTrapWill) June 23, 2024
After the game, Reese said she actually didn’t see Smith’s gesture and that there were no hard feelings.
Angel Reese said she didn't even see the NaLyssa Smith "too small" and had to be told about it by teammates: "I didn't even know she did that. That's crazy."
Added that she and NaLyssa have been playing against each for years and had fun with it tonight: "No hard feelings."
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) June 23, 2024