Angel Reese Promises Return After Dream Fall to Valkyries
The Dream lost Game 7 by five points, ending a season where Reese set multiple league records.
By Amina Howard ·
Angel Reese conceded the floor to the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday night after her Atlanta Dream squad lost the deciding Game 7 of the WNBA Finals. The final score was 68-63, marking the end of Reese’s third season in the league. Despite the defeat, the forward expressed gratitude for the team that supported her development.
Reese finished the season with individual honors that solidified her status as a top player. She received the Defensive Player of the Year award and made her third consecutive All-Star team. The league also named her to the All-WNBA second team, a distinction that makes her eligible for an EPIC contract extension.
Her statistical output set new benchmarks for the league. Reese established the single-season record for rebounds. She also broke the single-season record for double-doubles and set the single-game rebounding mark. Her offensive efficiency improved under the direction of Dream coach Karl Smesko, who worked with her to refine her shooting mechanics.
The final game proved difficult for Reese. She scored eight points on 3 of 7 shooting from the field. Her outside shooting was 1 of 3, and she made 1 of 3 free throws. She secured 12 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. She also recorded one assist, one steal, and two blocks while committing four turnovers.
Reese had zero shot attempts in the fourth quarter. She visited the free-throw line only once in that final period. Her series averages were 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. She recorded four double-doubles in the seven-game series. Her scoring dropped to eight or fewer points in three of the Dream’s four losses.
Reese highlighted her 30-point and 16-rebound performance in Game 2 as a personal high. She followed that with 21 points and 12 rebounds in Game 4. She cited the stability of the Atlanta roster as a key factor in her growth. This stands in contrast to her previous two years in Chicago, which saw roster turnover and off-court changes.
"They changed my life, and I'm just so grateful for them, and I'm so thankful for them," Reese said. "And it is tough in the moment, but we'll be back. And I always say delayed, not denied, and this is only Year 3."
