Angel Reese Looks Toward Future After WNBA Finals Loss

In San Francisco, Angel Reese is already setting sights on another championship after the Atlanta Dream’s narrow miss. Following the Dream’s 68-63 defeat by the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals, Reese expressed determination. ‘It is tough in the moment, but we’ll be back,’ she stated after the game at Chase Center.

Reese finished with eight points, making 3 of 7 shots, and contributed 12 rebounds. However, in the final quarter, she scored just one point and attempted no field goals, as Golden State clinched their first championship. Reese remained hopeful and proud of her season, appreciating her teammates for helping make it this far.

Gabby Williams was instrumental in the Valkyries’ victory, scoring 28 out of her 30 points in the second half and earning the title of Finals MVP.

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

Reese, a young and vocal player, acknowledged that her teammates aided her maturity and pushed her to improve daily. She described a supportive team environment.

‘There’s no egos in the locker room and nobody’s selfish. Everybody just wants to see each other succeed,’ Reese noted.

Reese’s confidence in Atlanta’s potential stems from their team’s cooperative spirit. She has prior experience winning a national championship with LSU in 2023, during which she stood out as the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Earlier in the series, Reese had a significant impact, combining 51 points and 28 rebounds in Games 2 and 3. Yet, she encountered struggles in subsequent games, as Atlanta dropped three out of the next four games.

Reese’s performance averaged 9.5 points on 26.7% shooting, committing 19 turnovers, and maintaining an average of 12.5 rebounds per game.

The Dream managed to force a Game 7 with substantial contributions from Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard in Game 6. Despite leading by nine points in the third quarter of the final game, Atlanta was overpowered by Williams’ performance.

Reese’s contributions waned, with her last field goal in the third quarter and a single point from the foul line in the final seconds.

After the game, Reese expressed how valuable her time with the Atlanta Dream and Coach Karl Smesko had been, acknowledging the support of fans and projecting optimism for the future.

‘I love these girls. I love the coaches,’ Reese shared. ‘Our fan base back home poured into us so much this year, and we really wanted to do it for them.’

Her enthusiasm extends into the off-season, anticipating further growth under Smesko’s guidance. Reese remains hopeful for championship success in upcoming seasons.