Angel Reese just snagged the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award, marking her first time taking home the coveted honor. It’s a massive moment, not just for Reese, but for the Atlanta Dream too, as she’s the first player in their history to win DPOY. This news dropped less than a day after she put up a huge 15 points and seven rebounds, helping the Dream absolutely stomp the Washington Mystics 93-75 in Game 2 of their first-round series. That win? It punched Atlanta’s ticket to the WNBA semifinals for the first time this entire decade. You kidding me?!
The Stats Are Screaming It
Listen, we all know Reese is a force, but the numbers back it up in a way that just demands respect. For the third year running, she led the entire WNBA in rebounds, averaging a ridiculous 12.1 per game. Think about that for a second. And her defensive rebound percentage? A mind-blowing 30.3 percent, second-best in the league! That means when Reese was on the floor during the regular season, she was grabbing over 30 percent of ALL the defensive boards. She’s a vacuum cleaner out there. But it’s not just about cleaning the glass. This season, for the first time in her career, Reese was officially one of the league’s top thieves, racking up 77 steals. That was good for third in the WNBA, with only her Dream teammates Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada beating her out. Her individual defensive rating of 100.0 was the fourth-best in the league, a testament to her non-stop motor and relentless impact. She’s just built different.
Atlanta’s Defense Is Locking Down Everything
Reese’s individual dominance isn’t just about her; it’s clearly infecting the entire Dream squad. Atlanta’s overall defensive rating of 104.5 ranked second in the WNBA, and anyone who’s been watching knows this group has only gotten tighter and more connected as the season has rolled on. The April trade that brought Reese to Atlanta? It only supercharged her already unparalleled activity and defensive impact. The proof is in the pudding: the Dream has ripped off seven consecutive wins, including the playoffs! Six of those victories? By double digits. This team is legit. They’ve been on an absolute heater since July 13, going 19-4. That kind of run doesn’t happen by accident.
What’s next for the Dream is a WNBA semifinals appearance, something this franchise hasn’t seen in ages. With Reese leading the charge defensively and the team playing with this kind of swagger, you gotta wonder just how far this Atlanta Dream squad can go. They’re playing lights out right now, and the league better be ready.
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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