On Wednesday night, Angel Reese absolutely exploded in a massive Game 2 semifinals win against the New York Liberty. She dropped a team-high 23 points, snagged 7 rebounds, racked up 2 blocks, 2 assists, and a steal. Oh, and her plus-minus? A ridiculous +11, best in the entire game. This isn’t just a good performance; it’s a statement after everything that’s happened in the last year.
From Chicago Outskirts to WNBA DPOY
Man, it feels like only yesterday that Reese was on the outside looking in. Last fall, she was sidelined in Chicago, suspended for half a game. The Sky called her “statements detrimental to the team” after she blasted their management and roster construction in a Chicago Tribune interview. Who knew what was next for her? But then, in April, everything changed when she got traded to the Atlanta Dream, joining a squad that always seemed to fall just short in the postseason.
To land the two-time All-Star, the Dream paid a steep price, giving up their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks. At the time, most in the basketball world thought it was a good move for Atlanta, but honestly, who really projected this kind of impact? It’s wild. Just last week, she was named the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, putting together an absolutely mesmerizing defensive season. And to cap it off, she grabbed Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors three weeks in a row. Seriously, this trade is shaping up to be one of the great transactions of the modern WNBA.
Fearless When It Matters Most
All of Reese’s hard work and raw talent came to a head on Wednesday night against the Liberty. She was everywhere, just like she tends to be. She put up those 23 points on a solid 8-for-16 shooting. Beyond the box score, her motor and energy on the floor are just something you gotta watch to believe. There were moments her sheer presence on the glass made it easy for teammates to grab a board. Other times, her quick hands totally shifted defensive momentum, like late in overtime when she got her hands on a Jonquel Jones drive, sparking a jump-ball situation that led to an inexplicable Sabrina Ionescu turnover. Talk about making an impact!
Reese battled against two of the most formidable post players in the game, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, and still finished with 5 offensive rebounds. That’s as many as the entire Liberty team, by the way. She powered a massive second-quarter run, hitting a three-pointer and converting an and-one layup in a matter of seconds. After all that, when ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked her about it, Reese just said, “You just got to be fearless in there.” And you know what? She absolutely showed it.
Ice in Her Veins at the Line
Then came the clutch-time heroics, the stuff that separates players. Reese is the worst free-throw shooter in Atlanta’s rotation. Yeah, you read that right. And wouldn’t you know it, she was intentionally fouled at the end of regulation and again at the end of overtime. The pressure was insane. But Reese? She walked calmly to the line both times and sank both clutch-time free throws, giving the Dream a three-point lead near the end of regulation and again at the end of overtime. What was even more striking than the makes was her body language. She was clearly unafraid of the moment. Afterward, she told everyone her confidence came from her work ethic. “Trust my work,” she explained, saying she challenges herself to make 10 straight free throws after every practice.
What a journey for Angel Reese, from the fringes to dropping clutch buckets in the semifinals. This Game 2 win is huge for the Dream, and with Reese playing like *this*, fearless and dedicated, you gotta wonder how far they can really go. Every single game now is critical, and you know Reese is gonna bring that motor.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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