The announcement of the WNBA All-Star starters sparked debate across the league, with one of the biggest talking points involving the Atlanta Dream. Despite sitting among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta failed to place a single player in the All-Star starting lineup, prompting a passionate response from forward Angel Reese.
Speaking before the Dream’s matchup against the Washington Mystics, Reese questioned the outcome of the voting process and voiced strong support for teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. While acknowledging that every selected starter had earned the honor, Reese believed Atlanta’s standout performers deserved far greater recognition for their contributions this season.
Rather than focusing on her own omission, Reese directed much of her attention toward Howard and Gray, both of whom have played central roles in Atlanta’s rise in the standings. According to Reese, their consistent production and the defensive attention they face every night have been instrumental in the Dream’s success.
The comments added another layer to the annual discussion surrounding All-Star voting, where fan popularity, media opinions, and player ballots combine to determine the starting lineups. Reese argued that Atlanta’s accomplishments as a team should have translated into stronger representation among the league’s biggest stars.
1. Reese Voices Frustration Over Voting
Reese did not hide her disappointment when discussing the All-Star results. She admitted that she has become accustomed to criticism directed toward her personally but emphasized that she was more concerned about the recognition received by her teammates.
The second-year forward praised Howard and Gray for their work throughout the season, saying both players consistently carry heavy responsibilities on the offensive end while facing some of the toughest defensive assignments in the league. In Reese’s view, their performances have been essential to Atlanta’s position near the top of the conference standings.
She also suggested that the absence of any Dream starters failed to reflect the quality of the team’s season. While noting that her teammates were unlikely to publicly express their frustration, Reese made it clear she was willing to speak on their behalf.
Her comments reflected the competitive mindset that has become one of her defining characteristics. Reese argued that successful teams should receive appropriate recognition when individual honors are awarded, particularly when multiple players have delivered standout campaigns.
2. How the All-Star Voting Works
The WNBA uses a weighted voting system to determine its All-Star starters. Fan voting accounts for half of each player’s final score, while current players and members of the media each contribute 25 percent of the overall total.
Under that system, the four highest-ranked guards and six highest-ranked frontcourt players earn starting spots. Although Atlanta’s stars received significant support, none accumulated enough points to finish inside the required positions.
Howard and Gray finished fifth and sixth among guards, narrowly missing the starting lineup despite productive seasons. Reese placed seventh among frontcourt players, leaving her just outside the group selected to start the showcase event.
The results highlighted the competitive nature of the selection process, where even strong individual performances can fall short because of the league’s depth of talent and the influence of fan voting alongside media and player ballots.
3. Dream Still Positioned for All-Star Recognition
Despite her disappointment with the starter selections, Reese expressed confidence that Atlanta’s leading players would still earn places on the All-Star roster when reserves are announced. She indicated that the team’s performances throughout the season have been too strong to ignore.
Howard and Gray have established themselves among the league’s most dangerous perimeter shooters, providing consistent scoring while helping Atlanta become one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders. Their offensive production has been a major reason behind the Dream’s success.
Reese has also enjoyed an outstanding campaign of her own, leading the WNBA in rebounds while averaging a double-double. Her impact on both ends of the floor has made her one of the league’s most productive frontcourt players and a key figure in Atlanta’s emergence as a playoff contender.
Although the Dream were left without an All-Star starter, Reese believes the team’s accomplishments deserve greater acknowledgment. As the regular season continues, Atlanta will have additional opportunities to strengthen its case through victories, while its top performers remain well-positioned to receive All-Star recognition even if they were overlooked in the starting lineup.