Angel Reese’s Impact Fuels Dream’s Playoff Success
Last fall, Angel Reese found herself in a tough spot in Chicago, as she was suspended for half a game. The reason? She made comments that the Sky management deemed “detrimental to the team,” criticizing their management and roster choices in a Chicago Tribune interview.
Come April, she was traded to the Atlanta Dream, joining a team rich in talent but struggling to make it past the postseason in recent years.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, and, well, it’s been about 13 months since the Sky debacle, but Reese’s performance really sent a clear message: the trade for her might just be one of the best deals in WNBA history.
To bring Reese on board, the Dream coughed up their first-round picks for 2027 and 2028. While many in the basketball community thought it was a solid move for Atlanta, few anticipated just how much Reese would change the game there.
Just last week, she clinched the title of 2026 Defensive Player of the Year after showing off some remarkable defensive skills. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she also earned the title of Eastern Conference Player of the Week three weeks in a row.
All of it came to a head on Wednesday night against the Liberty
In a critical Game 2 of the semi-finals against the New York Liberty, Reese was everywhere, as usual. She led her team with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, accompanied by 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Not surprisingly, she ended up with the best plus-minus at +11.
Reese had a hand in nearly every play, boosting her teammates’ spirits along the way. Honestly, it’s hard to put into numbers how much energy she brings to the court; you really need to watch her in action.
Her presence often made it easier for teammates to grab rebounds. Plus, her quick reflexes shifted the game’s defensive momentum. Take, for instance, a moment late in overtime when she disrupted a Jonquel Jones drive, causing an unexpected jump-ball that led to a Sabrina Ionescu turnover.
Facing formidable opponents like Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, Reese managed to snag 5 offensive rebounds—equal to what the entire Liberty team achieved. She ignited a significant second-quarter run, hitting a three-pointer and converting an and-one layup within moments.
“You just got to be fearless in there,” Reese noted in her walk-off interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
Then, there were her clutch moments: despite being the worst free-throw shooter among the Dream’s lineup, she found herself intentionally fouled during the tense moments of regulation and overtime.
But, with a noticeable calm, Reese stepped up to the free-throw line each time, sinking both crucial shots, which gave the Dream a three-point lead nearing the end of regulation and at the close of overtime. What stood out more than her successful free throws was her demeanor; she was clearly unshaken.
Afterward, she mentioned that her confidence at the line came from her dedication.
“Trust my work,” Reese explained, sharing that she challenges herself to make 10 consecutive free throws after every practice. “No matter how late it is.”
In addition to those critical free throws, Reese made a go-ahead layup with 44 seconds left in overtime, thanks to an assist from Naz Hillmon. That shot put the Dream ahead by one; a subsequent layup from Hillmon just 21 seconds later solidified their lead.
Angel Reese powered an incredible Dream effort
In the thrilling 101-98 victory, the Dream were missing Allisha Gray, their top scorer, who unfortunately sustained a hand injury in Game 1 of the semi-finals. (They also have been without center Brionna Jones for most of the season).
Once again, her teammates rose to the occasion in her absence. Jordin Canada, who normally averages around 11.6 points, exploded for 23 points and 8 assists, while Isabel Borlase, who typically scores 4.8 points, contributed 11 points.
“You got to do it for your sisters,” Reese said to Rowe. “Do it for the person next to you.”
The Dream are now in a strong position, leading the best-of-five semi-finals series 2-0, just one victory away from the WNBA Finals.
No team in WNBA history has successfully come back from an 0-2 deficit, and while the Liberty possess both experience and talent, they’re facing quite a challenging uphill battle.
Angel Reese made sure of that. As the Dream’s playoff journey continues, the decision to trade for Reese increasingly appears to be a game-changing move.
