Angel Reese credits teammates after Dreams lose WNBA Finals
The Atlanta guard set career records in her first season with the team before falling to the Golden State Valkyries 68-63.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
Angel Reese stood before the media after the Atlanta Dreams lost 68-63 to the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Finals. The game concluded her first season with the franchise. Reese spoke about her teammates rather than her own statistics during the postgame interview.
Reese praised the work ethic and determination of her squad. She described the group as a team she was honored to play with for the entire year. Reese said the experience changed her life and that she remains thankful for the players around her. She used the phrase “delayed, not denied” to describe the team’s future potential. Reese noted that the players are only in their third year and have many more seasons ahead.
The season marked a statistical high point for the guard. Reese broke the league records for double doubles in both the regular season and the playoffs. She also won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Dreams played in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. Reese credited head coach Karl Smesko for the team’s development. She said that individual improvement in the offseason leads to collective growth under his system.
The matchup drew high viewership numbers. The Atlanta team moved its home games from the Gateway Center Arena to the larger State Farm Arena. The Gateway Center holds 7,000 fans, while the State Farm Arena seats 16,000. The Dream used the larger venue because it quickly outgrew the smaller venue. Celebrities including Usher, Monica, and TI attended games to support the team.
The Dreams remain a competitive force in the Eastern Conference. The WNBA has not announced an official start date for the next season. The league will hold its draft on April 12. That event will introduce new players to the league. Reese said she looks forward to another year under Smesko’s development and system.
Reese stated that she would do the season all over again. She emphasized that the moment was tough but that the team would return. The guard expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete with this specific group of players.
