Atlanta’s in the WNBA Finals, just six months after Dan Padover pulled off a blockbuster trade for Angel Reese in April. This isn’t just a big deal for the Dream, it’s a statement after last year’s brutal first-round playoff exit that set the stage for everything.
The Big Swing That Changed Everything (Well, Not *Everything*, But A Lot)
Remember the 2025 playoffs? The Dream had Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard dominating, Jordin Canada holding it down on defense, plus size and depth across the board. But they couldn’t get past the Indiana Fever. That upset loss had to sting, big time. It pushed Padover to swing for the fences, and that swing landed them Angel Reese. Fast forward to now, and Atlanta is back on the championship stage for the first time in 13 years, with Reese making her Finals debut. The impact is undeniable. Reese has been playing her best season yet, snagging her third successive regular-season rebounding title and grabbing 46 of 74 votes for Defensive Player of the Year. And let’s not forget her showing off on the international stage, standing out when the United States clinched a fifth straight FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup last month.
No More Letting Possessions Slip
You want to know what makes this run different for Atlanta? It’s the competitive fire Reese brings. Natalie Nakase, the Golden State Valkyries’ head coach who was on the Team USA staff, put it perfectly: “She’s the ultimate, ultra competitor. When were at USA, you heard her voice constantly. So when she didn’t start, you heard her, she was constantly cheering her teammates on. … She’s a huge reason why I think (Atlanta) is in the Finals, because she brings this competitive edge. She’s not going to let any possession slip.” That’s the truth. The Dream has rolled through the postseason with a perfect 5-0 record, even sweeping the New York Liberty in the semifinals despite Gray playing just 11 minutes healthy. Reese just wouldn’t tolerate another letdown, and it shows in her playoff numbers: 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.8 stocks on 43/39/87 shooting splits. She’s given them an invaluable competitive edge, for real.
The Dream kicks off Game 1 on Friday night against the Golden State Valkyries. The Valkyries are gonna have to figure out something neither the Liberty nor the Washington Mystics could: how to stop this Atlanta squad from bringing home their maiden WNBA title. It’s gonna be a battle, but with Reese leading the charge, you just know Atlanta is ready for it.
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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