Angel Reese has never been one to shy away from talking trash on the court, but this time, it may have completely backfired. In a heated matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu made sure to humble Reese in spectacular fashion—turning the young star’s own words against her and delivering a basketball clinic in the process.
The drama all started when Angel Reese confidently declared “You can’t guard me” during a pregame moment, but by the time the game ended, it was clear that Sabrina Ionescu had other plans.
Reese, known for her competitive fire and fearless attitude, walked into this game ready to make a statement. The rising star has quickly become one of the most polarizing figures in basketball, often embracing her role as a dominant force in the paint and a trash-talking powerhouse.
Before the highly anticipated showdown, Reese was seen mouthing the words “You can’t guard me”, seemingly directed at the opposing team. The clip quickly went viral, igniting social media debates about whether or not she could actually back it up.
Unfortunately for Reese, she may have poked the wrong bear—because Sabrina Ionescu took that personally.
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that Sabrina Ionescu was locked in. The New York Liberty star, widely regarded as one of the most skilled shooters and playmakers in the WNBA, went straight to work, exposing every flaw in Reese’s defense.
Draining deep three-pointers? Check.
Breaking down defenders with elite footwork? Check.
Dishing out highlight-reel assists while controlling the tempo? Check.
It was a basketball masterclass, and the best part? Ionescu made sure to let Reese know about it every step of the way.
At one point, after sinking a particularly nasty step-back three, Ionescu was caught on camera mimicking Reese’s own words, seemingly saying, “You can’t guard ME.” The arena erupted in cheers as the seasoned veteran turned the tables on the young star in the most brutal way possible.
By halftime, the stat sheet told the full story—Ionescu was dominating, while Reese was struggling to keep up.
As expected, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok immediately went wild over the viral moment.
One fan tweeted: “Angel Reese said ‘you can’t guard me’ just to get dropped off by Sabrina Ionescu. That’s instant karma 😂”
Another added: “Sabrina literally walked into that game like Jordan after someone talked trash. NEVER doubt a shooter.”
Even WNBA analysts chimed in, with one writing: “Angel Reese has the confidence, but Sabrina Ionescu has the game to shut it down. That’s the difference.”
Meanwhile, some Reese supporters defended the young star, saying that one bad game doesn’t erase her talent or impact on the league.
A Reese fan wrote: “Let’s not act like Angel isn’t still a dominant force. One tough night against an all-time great isn’t the end of the world.”
While opinions were split, one thing was clear: Sabrina Ionescu made a statement that won’t be forgotten anytime soon
After the game, reporters wasted no time asking Angel Reese about the moment. Would she own up to the loss, or would she fire back with more confidence?
Reese kept it brief, saying, “I’ll be back. One game doesn’t define me.”
A classy response, but some fans couldn’t help but notice that her usual swagger seemed a little toned down after facing off against Ionescu.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu had the perfect response when asked about her performance.
“I just let my game do the talking.”
Mic drop.
While this battle was clearly won by Sabrina Ionescu, the bigger picture remains: Angel Reese is still one of the most promising young stars in the WNBA, and one tough game won’t change that.
However, if this matchup taught us anything, it’s that talking trash is fun—until you meet someone who can back it up even better.
Reese will likely use this as motivation moving forward, but for now, the basketball world will always remember the night when Sabrina Ionescu turned “You can’t guard me” into one of the coldest clapbacks in WNBA history.
