Angel Reese Aims for Redemption After Atlanta Dream’s Game 7 Loss

San Francisco — Angel Reese is already directing her focus toward another championship bid following the Atlanta Dream’s narrow miss at the title. “It is tough in the moment, but we’ll be back,” Reese stated after the Dream’s 68-63 setback to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals held at Chase Center.

Angel Reese concluded the game with eight points, hitting 3 of 7 attempts, accumulating 12 rebounds, but committing four turnovers. In the crucial fourth quarter, Reese garnered one point, yet did not attempt a field goal while Golden State secured its initial championship. Following the contest, Reese expressed an unwavering pride in her season and gratitude for her teammates who brought Atlanta within reach of a championship.

“I’m really proud of the year that I had,” Reese said. “I mean, I’ve done a lot of great things this year, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without this group.”

Despite being a young and outspoken player, Reese acknowledged her teammates fostered her growth in ways she previously hadn’t experienced.

“And they really challenged me to be better every single day,” she reflected.

Inside the locker room, a culture of mutual support prevailed.

“There’s no egos in the locker room and nobody’s selfish,” Reese commented. “Like, everybody just wants to see each other succeed.”

Reese emphasized that Atlanta’s supportive team dynamic was a catalyst for believing in future success.

“When you have a team like that, I’ve been a part of some teams and I know what it takes to win a championship,” she explained. “And that’s the winning mindset.”

Reese, who clinched a national championship at LSU in 2023, and was celebrated as the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, previously gained attention postially taunting Iowa’s Caitlin Clark during their victory at the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship.

During Games 2 and 3, Reese made significant contributions by scoring 51 points and grabbing 28 rebounds, aiding Atlanta in a 2-1 lead. Prior to Game 4, Reese strategized about unsettling Golden State’s focus.

“They’re playing into my mental game where I can take their confidence and just try to do whatever to mess them up,” she remarked.

Unfortunately, Atlanta dropped three of the subsequent four games. During this period, Reese’s performance dipped, averaging 9.5 points on 12 for 45 shooting (26.7%) and incurring 19 turnovers, though her rebounding remained strong at 12.5 per game.

The Dream extended the finals to Game 7 following Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard’s joint contribution of 44 points in an 80-69 victory. However, during the finale, despite Atlanta’s nine-point third-quarter advantage, Gabby Williams’ second-half dominance, scoring 28 of her 30 points, proved pivotal, earning her the Finals MVP award.

Post-defeat, Reese reflected on her determination to prevail for her teammates and Atlanta’s supporters.

“I love these girls. I love the coaches,” Reese shared. “I think it also sucks because our fan base back home poured into us so much this year, and we really wanted to do it for them, but we’re forever grateful.”

Moving forward, Reese is eager for another offseason under Dream coach Karl Smesko’s tutelage.

“When individually you get better in the offseason, you get better collectively,” Reese highlighted, expressing her anticipation for another year under Karl’s guidance.

She concluded optimistically, “Just because we didn’t win today doesn’t mean that we won’t be champions in the future.”