Sandy Brondello, head coach for the Toronto Tempo, had to issue a public apology Saturday, all because of some seriously questionable words she dropped about Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese. What did she say, you ask? During Friday night’s intense 111-92 loss for the Tempo, Brondello was heard telling a referee, “Angel, she’s a protected species,” clearly frustrated with how Reese was being officiated. Yeah, you read that right. A coach calling out a player like that in the heat of a game? That comment lit up the league like a Christmas tree.
The Comment That Lit Up Social Media and Reese’s Perfect Response
That “protected species” line, reported by SI.com’s Grant Young, immediately blew up on X, and honestly, can you blame anyone? Folks online were quick to call out Brondello, who is white, for using *that* kind of language about a Black woman. It’s a phrase that definitely carries some heavy implications, and it certainly didn’t sit right with many. And Angel Reese? She’s never one to back down, and she didn’t hold back here. Her response on X was short, sharp, and said it all without needing a single extra word: “Are we surprised?!” Talk about a mic drop! Brondello quickly took to social media herself on Saturday to apologize for her words, admitting she used language “that I shouldn’t have used.” You gotta wonder what was going through her mind to even say something like that during a game, especially when you’re talking about one of the league’s biggest names and brightest talents. It’s a rough look for any coach, no doubt about it, especially early in the season when narratives are just starting to form.
Reese’s Numbers Are Louder Than Any Sideline Drama
Despite all that sideline drama, Reese absolutely balled out on Friday night for the Dream, proving her worth with pure on-court performance. She finished second on her team with a whopping 23 points, shooting an incredibly efficient 7-of-11 from the field. But it wasn’t just scoring; she’s always been a force everywhere else, grabbing 12 crucial rebounds, swiping three steals, and dishing out two assists. That’s a full stat line that screams dominance and shows exactly why she’s such a tough matchup for anyone. This is her first season with the Dream after a trade from the Chicago Sky, and she’s already hitting career highs across the board, averaging 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Seriously, the woman is a machine on the court, already a three-time All-Star in just her three-year WNBA career! Her impact is undeniable, and it’s no coincidence the Dream are off to a red-hot 15-10 start. They’re tied for first place in the Eastern Conference and sitting fifth overall in the WNBA, making some serious noise early in the season and looking like a real contender. Meanwhile, Brondello’s Tempo, an expansion team in their very first season, dropped to 10-15 with that Friday loss, putting them fifth in the East and 11th in the WNBA. They’re definitely feeling the pressure as they try to establish themselves and improve their early season form.
So while the Tempo are trying to find their footing as a new franchise and dealing with the fallout of their coach’s controversial comments, Angel Reese is out there absolutely dominating and proving exactly *why* she gets the attention she does. Her elite play speaks for itself, averaging a double-double and leading her team to the top of the conference standings. Her powerful response to Brondello’s comments shows she’s not backing down from anything, on or off the court. This WNBA season is only getting more interesting with these kinds of storylines emerging, and Reese is a huge reason why we’re all hooked.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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