Dating rumors about Reese and Carter Jr. began in May after the Magic center was seen at her 23rd birthday party. A month later, Reese added to the speculation with a TikTok video showcasing bouquets of roses and Hermès boxes sent by a "special someone."

Sam Green, the Pelicans fan who taunted Draymond, told Brett Martel of the AP that his chant referenced a sequence where Draymond missed five consecutive shots and rebounded the first four (Reese, the Sky forward who played collegiately for LSU, is a prolific rebounder but streaky shooter).