All eyes will be on Angel Reese when the Atlanta Dream take on the Golden State Valkyries in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
The Dream are 5-0 in the playoffs this year, sweeping both the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. Their starting lineup has all stepped up in big moments, including Reese. Even though it’s her first WNBA postseason, she’s averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
“Just knowing I belong here,” Reese said after scoring 22 points in a series-clinching win over the Liberty. “Knowing, coming to Atlanta, how much I wanted to help this team and do whatever it takes. Not just to get out of the first round, not just to get out the semis, but to make it to the Finals and win a championship. And the job is not done. We’re definitely happy about where we are right now, but we’re not satisfied.”
Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Well before she played a big role in the Dream’s incredible playoff run, Reese caused a stir online with her Instagram content. The former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model shared plenty of vacation photos during the WNBA’s All-Star Break.
“I’m gasping for air,” one person commented on Reese’s post.
“I almost dropped my phone,” a fan replied.
“Perfect Angel,” another fan wrote.
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ESPN is all in on Angel Reese.
WNBA reporters Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel ranked the top 15 players in this year’s Finals. They placed Reece as the top of his rankings.
“The 2024 No. 7 draft pick is playing the best ball of her career and was recently named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. In her first postseason, Reese is averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. The scoring and blocks have both increased and she’s shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc. Reese’s impact on both ends of the court is, arguably, the biggest reason the Dream are in the Finals for the first time since 2013,” Copeland wrote.
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
