The WNBA will not punish Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers or Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese after the league’s own social media account posted and quickly deleted a video that appeared to show the two All-Stars agreeing to a $400 wager on their Wednesday matchup.
A league source confirmed the decision to ESPN. A person with direct knowledge also told The Associated Press that neither player would face punishment.
The WNBA described its post as lighthearted, but acknowledged that it “missed the mark” and said officials “addressed the matter internally.” The league also said it would remind the players that conversations about wagering, “even when intended as a joke, can have negative consequences.”
The video, filmed during WNBA All-Star Weekend practice in Chicago, showed Reese holding $400 in cash while discussing the teams’ upcoming game with Bueckers.
“If y’all win, you get your 400,” Reese said in the video.
“Bet. I’m standing on it,” Bueckers responded.
The WNBA posted the clip on its X account hours before the Dream faced the Wings at College Park Center in Arlington, then removed it after the exchange drew attention online.
League rules prohibit wagers
Article XIV, Section 5(c) of the WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement permits the commissioner, after a hearing, to fine, suspend, dismiss or disqualify a player found guilty of wagering, offering to wager or attempting to wager money or anything of value on a WNBA competition.
The league said it trains WNBA players annually on its gambling rules. Neither the league’s statement nor the reports said money changed hands or that either player attempted to influence the game.
Atlanta rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Dallas 82-81. Reese recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Bueckers scored 16 points and added six assists.
Professional basketball faces gambling scrutiny
The episode comes as professional basketball faces heightened scrutiny over gambling.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, federal authorities charged Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in October 2025 in an alleged sports-betting scheme that prosecutors said relied on nonpublic player information. Authorities charged then-Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups in a separate case involving an alleged rigged-poker operation. Federal officials said the cases were unrelated.
The Dallas Express later reported that the NBA began evaluating tighter controls on player proposition bets and discussed limiting certain markets to “overs-only” wagers, which allow bettors to wager only that a player will exceed a statistical threshold.
Both players returned to the court Friday. Bueckers scored a team-high 23 points in Dallas’ 81-76 loss to Washington. Reese had 21 points and 13 rebounds as Atlanta earned a 98-89 victory over Seattle.
The Wings host the Connecticut Sun on Sunday night. The Dream host the Las Vegas Aces on Monday.
Provided by Dallas Express
