Angel Reese extended her double-double streak to an insane 10 consecutive games on Monday, a run that helped power the Atlanta Dream to a 95-84 win over the New York Liberty. This isn’t just a career-best stretch either; Reese is now responsible for three of the only five times in WNBA history a player has recorded a double-double in at least 10 straight games. Yeah, you read that right: THREE.
The Switch Flipped After That Fever Loss
It’s clear what lit a fire under Reese. A four-point loss to the Indiana Fever back on August 16 looks like the turning point. Since that game, the Dream have absolutely been on fire, winning eight of their last nine contests. And get this: six of those victories came by at least 10 points. Reese herself has been playing arguably the best basketball of her entire three-year career, and those numbers speak for themselves. Over the past nine games, she’s averaged a ridiculous 20.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. This isn’t just making a case; this is Reese making a statement.
From Chicago to Contender: A Career Rescued
It’s wild to think where Reese was just a few months ago. Her trade out of Chicago five months back, where she spent her first two professional seasons, probably saved her career. She landed in Atlanta in April in exchange for two first-round draft picks, walking into a whole new locker room and her third head coach in as many professional seasons. Dream head coach Karl Smesko and his staff immediately got to work, overhauling Reese’s shooting mechanics, and the results have just gotten better every single month. She’s averaging a career-high 16.6 points per game, shooting 45.3 percent from the field. Smesko summed it up perfectly after Monday’s win: “I think she feels a lot more comfortable now within what we do than the first 10 to 15 games. She’s just gotten better as a basketball player because she’s worked at it, and she feels more comfortable in the system that she’s in now.” That system is no joke either, boasting a top-five offense and a top-five defense, making the Dream one of just three teams ranking in the top five for efficiency on both ends.
Serious Playoff Threat
With the WNBA playoffs just around the corner, this win against the Liberty was absolutely vital for the Dream. Reese, elevated alongside All-Stars Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, is enjoying her best season to date. She’s not just putting up numbers; she’s making a strong, strong case for Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Chicago Sky is heading for the draft lottery again, but Reese and the Dream? They look like a serious contender to win a WNBA championship, and they are looking very dangerous right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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