Reese leads Dream to semifinal win

Angel Reese’s trade to the Atlanta Dream has become more stunning every day. Last fall, she was suspended for half a game by the Chicago Sky for making statements detrimental to the team in a Chicago Tribune interview.

To land Angel Reese, the Atlanta Dream surrendered their 2027 and 2028 first-round draft selections. While many analysts praised the trade at the time, few anticipated how transformative she would become. Her 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award—following a standout season highlighted by three consecutive Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors—proved just how dominant she could be for the franchise.

Reese delivered a standout performance in Atlanta’s dominant Game 2 semifinal victory over the New York Liberty. She led the team with 23 points (8-of-16 shooting), plus 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal, while finishing with the game’s best plus-minus rating (+11).

Reese’s influence extended to nearly every play, energizing her teammates. Her presence under the boards simplified offensive rebounds for her team, while her defensive instincts shifted momentum in critical moments. Even against elite bigs Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, she grabbed 5 offensive rebounds, matching the Liberty’s entire team total, while fueling a second-quarter surge with a three and a fast-break layup.

In high-pressure moments, Reese thrived. After being fouled intentionally late in regulation and again in overtime, she calmly converted both free throws to extend Atlanta’s lead. Her composure at the line reflected her disciplined routine: she practices making 10 free throws in a row after every session, no matter how late.

The Dream played without Allisha Gray, their top scorer, who was sidelined by a hand injury from Game 1. Yet her absence didn’t hinder Atlanta. Jordin Canada scored 23 points with 8 assists, while Isabel Borlase added 11 points. With a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinals, the Dream are one win away from reaching the WNBA Finals.

And, on Wednesday night, 13 months after that initial Sky controversy, Reese’s play sent a resounding message to the world: the Dream’s decision to trade for her could end up being one of the great transactions of the modern WNBA. In addition to the crunch-time free throws, Reese hit a go-ahead layup with 44 seconds left to go in overtime, off a feed from Naz Hillmon, and later, a Hillmon layup with 21 seconds to go restored the lead for good, showcasing the team’s ability to perform under pressure. Isabel Borlase, who averaged 4.8 points, poured in 11 points, demonstrating the team’s depth and ability to step up in the absence of key players.