Talk about a gut-check moment! Angel Reese, our three-time All-Star and rebounding maven, didn’t hold back after what she called a downright sour opening 10 minutes against the Fever on Sunday. Speaking with ESPN’s Holly Rowe at halftime, Reese laid it all out there, admitting her first-quarter struggles with a quote that’s going to live rent-free in our heads: “I was playing like s, in the beginning.”
The Brutal First Quarter No One Saw Coming
Seriously, who expected that kind of start from Reese? The woman who typically dominates the paint was toiling out there, especially when matched up against Indiana’s Makayla Timpson. We’re talking shot after shot just rolling off the rim or, even worse, the backboard. It was tough to watch. She missed the target on *each* of her first six shot attempts! Can you imagine the frustration? She even blew a wide-open fast break in the game’s opening frame, looking rushed and just not herself taking shots at the rim. While Reese was battling, Caitlin Clark, the Fever guard, was on fire, enjoying a nearly faultless early-game display that helped Indiana snag a nine-point lead at one point. It felt like nothing was going right for Reese or the Dream.
From Candid Confession to Clutch Comeback
But here’s the thing about true stars: they find a way. Even after that candid, almost raw, halftime admission, Reese didn’t let it define her. She found her rhythm as the action wore on, proving why she’s a three-time All-Star. She sank three of her final four shot attempts in the first half, showing that touch we all know she has. And it wasn’t just scoring, either. She showcased her playmaking chops, pushing the ball forward to the tune of three first-half assists. Plus, her rebounding? Dazzling, as it always is, collecting nine boards in just the opening 20 minutes. Fueled by her improved offensive outing and a stifling second-quarter display, the Dream wrestled dominance back from Indiana, taking a four-point lead into the break. Reese herself put it best: “It’s a game of runs, you got to put that in your back pocket. Just because you know you have teammates that have your back.”
That kind of honesty, that kind of fight, is what makes a player special. Reese’s ability to stare down a rough start and then turn it around, leading her team back into the game, tells you everything you need to know about her grit. She owned her struggles, got support from her teammates, and then went to work. That’s the mentality of a winner, and it’s something to seriously look forward to as the season progresses.
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.
Leave a Reply