Angel Reese leads Atlanta Dream to WNBA Finals loss

Angel Reese’s run to the WNBA Finals ended in defeat for the Atlanta Dream on Sunday night. The team lost Game 7 of the championship series against the Las Vegas Aces, capping a season that saw Reese break the league’s single-season rebounding record.

Reese, who is 23, spent her first two professional seasons with the Chicago Sky. She missed the postseason both years with that club. In a trade that occurred months after the Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in last year’s Finals, Reese moved to Atlanta. Her arrival changed the dynamic of the Dream, a franchise named after the 1963 speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Dream entered the 2026 season with high expectations after building a roster that included Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray. The team had previously reached the Finals multiple times without winning a title. Coach Karl Smesko worked with Reese to rebuild her shooting mechanics and extend her range beyond the three-point line. He also tasked her with leading the team’s defense.

Reese pursued the Defensive Player of the Year award early in the season. Her mother presented her with the trophy during the early rounds of the playoffs. The recognition validated her performance and reinforced her status as the team’s central figure. She also mentored younger players, including rookie Madina Okot, helping to build cohesion within the locker room.

The team experienced a late-season surge that secured them the number four seed in the playoffs. They defeated opponents to reach the Finals, where they faced the higher-seeded Aces. Despite being the lower seed, the Dream was not treated as the underdog by many observers. The team faced challenging officiating, with players noting inconsistencies in fouls called on both ends of the court.

Atlanta fans played a major role in the team’s momentum. When Game 6 was scheduled for a workday, fans sold out State Farm Arena. Approximately 1.5 million television viewers watched the Dream win that game to force a Game 7. The crowd provided a consistent source of energy throughout the series.

Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., attended several games to support the team. She has been an active voice for the league, advocating for the protection of Black women players. The Dream’s journey to the Finals highlighted the connection between the team’s name and the civil rights history of Atlanta.

The series ended with the Aces taking the championship. Reese’s manifestation of a Finals appearance, shared on social media a year ago, came true. The Dream finished the season with a record that reflected their improved depth and scoring ability. They will now look to return to the postseason next year with the same core group of players.