Angel Reese, Naz Hamilton, and Dewonna Bonner were boarding charter buses today, not for just another road game, but for the WNBA Finals. The Atlanta Dream are officially on their way to San Francisco for Games 1 and 2, set to face the Golden State Valkyries. This isn’t just any trip; it’s the culmination of a season that has clearly electrified their entire city.
The City’s Farewell: More Than Just a Sendoff
The energy outside Gateway Center Arena was absolutely electric, with fans making sure the Dream felt every bit of love before heading out. Folks like Ashley Harris were there, soaking it all in, declaring, “We love that they’re making it to the finals. It was meant to be. Come on. We’re talking about the WNBA here.” Even a team of 9-year-olds, coached by Shundii Clay, showed up, with Clay wanting her girls to “experience this energy that’s going throughout the city and helping our girls win and just the love for basketball,” seeing firsthand what a “dream realized” looks like. It’s totally clear that the connection between this team and its fans runs deep.
A Bittersweet Goodbye for College Park
This sendoff had an extra layer of emotion, because it wasn’t just a farewell to the team for a couple of games, it was also a “love letter” from College Park itself. Gateway Center Arena has been the Dream’s home base for years, and while everyone’s buzzing about the Finals, there’s a bittersweet acknowledgment that the team has “outgrown” their arena. College Park Firefighter Carlton Lane put it plainly: “I know that they’ve reached the point to where they’ve outgrown our arena. I wish they could stay, but I’m just happy to see them doing what they’re doing and being able to put the city of College Park on the map as well as their lives.” Games 3 and 4 of the Finals, and the *entire next season*, will be played at State Farm Arena, marking a huge new chapter. Carolyn Howell and Amber Batchelor from the College Park Convention and Visitors Bureau made sure the ladies knew this was their last chance to celebrate them there, affirming, “We want them to know they are our wildest dream. This is a little bit of college Park’s love letter to the Atlanta Dream. We could not be more proud of them, we want them to continue to soar and continue to win.”
Now, the focus shifts entirely to the court. The Atlanta Dream, featuring WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, are headed to San Francisco to kick off the Finals against the Golden State Valkyries. Games 1 and 2 are on the road, meaning they’ll have to bring that city-wide love and fire with them to get a strong start before returning home for Games 3 and 4 at their new, bigger arena. The stakes couldn’t be higher for this team that has clearly captured its city’s heart.
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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