About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SAN FRANCISCO – Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko's facial expression never changed as he watched Angel Reese warm up for Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries .
The newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year Reese practiced her shot all around the court, and Smesko's lips stayed in the same straight line as his eyebrows maintained a furrowed focus from the baseline under the basket.
Her gaze never seemed to make its way toward her coach. Viewing Reese's pregame routine is what Smesko has always done, and she was focused on the rim.
When Reese finally looked at Smesko, in one of the final private moments before tipoff, her facial expression foreshadowed the historic stat to come in the Dream's 79-65 win over the Valkyries Monday, Oct. 19, at Chase Center.
"Going into the locker room, the first person I made eye contact with was Angel, and I'm like, 'Oh I like this look. I like this look,'" Smesko said. "She was just fantastic, on both ends of the floor. Just a superior performance."
Reese posted a 30-point, 16-rebound double-double to fuel the Dream's first Finals victory across four series in franchise history. The performance evened the series 1-1 after the Atlanta fell 68-64 in Game 1, where Reese didn't score at all in the second half and took three shots in the final 26 minutes.
Angel Reese's rise as one of the WNBA's premier defenders culminated in the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026. Take a look back at key moments from her journey, from her early basketball career to earning one of the sport's highest individual honors. Above, Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream is honored for winning the WNBA Kia Defensive Player of the Year award before the Semi-Finals Game 1 against the New York Liberty on October 4, 2026 at State Farm Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) Purdue forward Rickie Woltman dribbles under the net against Maryland forward Angel Reese during the fourth quarter of an NCAA women's basketball game on Feb. 25, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. (Nikos Frazier, Journal & Courier) Iowa guard Caitlin Clark and Maryland forward Angel Reese react to a call during a NCAA Big Ten Conference women's basketball game on Feb. 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress, Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK) Maryland Terrapins forward Angel Reese after hitting a big shot on March 4, 2022, during the women's Big Ten tournament action from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana won 62-51. (Robert Scheer, IndyStar / USA TODAY Network) Angel Reese takes a shot as LSU women's basketball takes on the Auburn Tigers at the Marovich Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Jan. 15, 2023. (Scott Clause, USA TODAY Network) LSU Tigers women's college basketball forward Angel Reese drives around South Carolina Gamecocks forward Laeticia Amihere in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023. (Jeff Blake, USA TODAY Sports) LSU forward Angel Reese pauses at the free throw line against Utah during the fourth quarter in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 24, 2023. (Ken Ruinard, USA TODAY Network) LSU forward Angel Reese poses for a photo with the NCAA trophy after winning the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023. (McKenzie Lange, USA TODAY Network) LSU forward Angel Reese holds the NCAA trophy after winning the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023. (McKenzie Lange, USA TODAY Network) LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese and Iowa Hawkeyes forward Monika Czinano battle for the opening tip in the first half during the Final Four championship game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023. (Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese gestures to Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark after the game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023. (Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports) LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese smiles after receiving her 1,000th rebound game ball before a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Nov. 30, 2023. (Matthew Hinton, USA TODAY Sports) LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese takes a photo for senior night with former LSU player and NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal, LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey and Reese’s mother, Angel Webb, against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 3, 2024. (Matthew Hinton, USA TODAY Sports) Angel Reese poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected seventh overall pick by the Chicago Sky during the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky takes a hard foul from Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever in the second half during the Fever's home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shake hands before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on against the Dallas Wings during the first half at Wintrust Arena on July 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket against Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Washington Mystics during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Steph Chambers, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream poses for a portrait during media day at Gateway Center Arena on May 04, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury looks to pass the ball as Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream plays defense during the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena on May 24, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream brings the ball up the court against the New York Liberty during the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena on June 11, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream defends during the WNBA Commissioner's Cup game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum on June 14, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Chris Tanouye, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the game against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons, Getty Images) Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Colin Hubbard, Getty Images) Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries (R) and Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reach for a rebound in the first quarter at Chase Center on June 24, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Eakin Howard, Getty Images) Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries attempts a basket against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter at Chase Center on June 24, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Eakin Howard, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream grabs a rebound against Shakira Austin #0 and Angela Dugalic #32 of the Washington Mystics during the first half of the game at CareFirst Arena on July 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) Dominique Malonga #14 of Team Coop celebrates with Angel Reese #5 after a basket during the first half in the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center on July 25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Sage Zipeto, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream guards Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings as Bueckers tries to drive the ball in the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center on July 29, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Richard Rodriguez, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the ball as Monique Billings #25 of the Indiana Fever plays defense during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on August 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates her three pointer with Jordin Canada #3 during the first half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on August 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Harry How, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates the win after the game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on September 21, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Atlanta Dream defeated the New York Liberty 95-84. (Elsa, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates against the Washington Mystics during the second quarter of Game One of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena on September 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts as Shakira Austin #0 of the Washington Mystics looks on during the first half of game two of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at CareFirst Arena on September 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates after a play against the Washington Mystics during the second half of game two of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at CareFirst Arena on September 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) Angel Reese 35 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates after scoring and a foul on the Minnesota Lynx during the first quarter at Target Center on May 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Ellen Schmidt, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts during the second half of game two of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena on October 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates after winning game two of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena on October 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after making a basket during the first quarter of game three of the SemiFinals of the WNBA Playoffs against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on October 09, 2026 in New York City. (Ishika Samant, Getty Images) Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after making a basket during the first quarter of game three of the SemiFinals of the WNBA Playoffs against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on October 09, 2026 in New York City. (Ishika Samant, Getty Images) 1 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese's rise as one of the WNBA's premier defenders culminated in the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026. Take a look back at key moments from her journey, from her early basketball career to earning one of the sport's highest individual honors. Above, Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream is honored for winning the WNBA Kia Defensive Player of the Year award before the Semi-Finals Game 1 against the New York Liberty on October 4, 2026 at State Farm Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) 1 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese's rise as one of the WNBA's premier defenders culminated in the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026. Take a look back at key moments from her journey, from her early basketball career to earning one of the sport's highest individual honors. Above, Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream is honored for winning the WNBA Kia Defensive Player of the Year award before the Semi-Finals Game 1 against the New York Liberty on October 4, 2026 at State Farm Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) 2 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Purdue forward Rickie Woltman dribbles under the net against Maryland forward Angel Reese during the fourth quarter of an NCAA women's basketball game on Feb. 25, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. (Nikos Frazier, Journal & Courier) 3 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Iowa guard Caitlin Clark and Maryland forward Angel Reese react to a call during a NCAA Big Ten Conference women's basketball game on Feb. 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress, Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK) 4 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Maryland Terrapins forward Angel Reese after hitting a big shot on March 4, 2022, during the women's Big Ten tournament action from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana won 62-51. (Robert Scheer, IndyStar / USA TODAY Network) 5 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese takes a shot as LSU women's basketball takes on the Auburn Tigers at the Marovich Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Jan. 15, 2023. (Scott Clause, USA TODAY Network) 6 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU Tigers women's college basketball forward Angel Reese drives around South Carolina Gamecocks forward Laeticia Amihere in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023. (Jeff Blake, USA TODAY Sports) 7 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU forward Angel Reese pauses at the free throw line against Utah during the fourth quarter in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 24, 2023. (Ken Ruinard, USA TODAY Network) 8 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU forward Angel Reese poses for a photo with the NCAA trophy after winning the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023. (McKenzie Lange, USA TODAY Network) 9 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU forward Angel Reese holds the NCAA trophy after winning the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023. (McKenzie Lange, USA TODAY Network) 10 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese and Iowa Hawkeyes forward Monika Czinano battle for the opening tip in the first half during the Final Four championship game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023. (Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) 11 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese gestures to Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark after the game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023. (Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports) 12 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese smiles after receiving her 1,000th rebound game ball before a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Nov. 30, 2023. (Matthew Hinton, USA TODAY Sports) 13 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese takes a photo for senior night with former LSU player and NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal, LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey and Reese’s mother, Angel Webb, against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 3, 2024. (Matthew Hinton, USA TODAY Sports) 14 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected seventh overall pick by the Chicago Sky during the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 15 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky takes a hard foul from Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever in the second half during the Fever's home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 16 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shake hands before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images) 17 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on against the Dallas Wings during the first half at Wintrust Arena on July 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves, Getty Images) 18 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket against Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Washington Mystics during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Steph Chambers, Getty Images) 19 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream poses for a portrait during media day at Gateway Center Arena on May 04, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 20 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury looks to pass the ball as Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream plays defense during the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena on May 24, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) 21 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream brings the ball up the court against the New York Liberty during the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena on June 11, 2026 in College Park, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) 22 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream defends during the WNBA Commissioner's Cup game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum on June 14, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Chris Tanouye, Getty Images) 23 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the game against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons, Getty Images) 24 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Colin Hubbard, Getty Images) 25 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries (R) and Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reach for a rebound in the first quarter at Chase Center on June 24, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Eakin Howard, Getty Images) 26 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries attempts a basket against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter at Chase Center on June 24, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Eakin Howard, Getty Images) 27 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream grabs a rebound against Shakira Austin #0 and Angela Dugalic #32 of the Washington Mystics during the first half of the game at CareFirst Arena on July 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 28 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Dominique Malonga #14 of Team Coop celebrates with Angel Reese #5 after a basket during the first half in the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center on July 25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Sage Zipeto, Getty Images) 29 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream guards Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings as Bueckers tries to drive the ball in the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center on July 29, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Richard Rodriguez, Getty Images) 30 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the ball as Monique Billings #25 of the Indiana Fever plays defense during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on August 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) 31 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates her three pointer with Jordin Canada #3 during the first half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on August 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Harry How, Getty Images) 32 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates the win after the game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on September 21, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Atlanta Dream defeated the New York Liberty 95-84. (Elsa, Getty Images) 33 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates against the Washington Mystics during the second quarter of Game One of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena on September 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin, Getty Images) 34 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts as Shakira Austin #0 of the Washington Mystics looks on during the first half of game two of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at CareFirst Arena on September 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 35 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates after a play against the Washington Mystics during the second half of game two of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at CareFirst Arena on September 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 36 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese 35 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates after scoring and a foul on the Minnesota Lynx during the first quarter at Target Center on May 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Ellen Schmidt, Getty Images) 37 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts during the second half of game two of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena on October 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images) 38 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates after winning game two of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena on October 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images) 39 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after making a basket during the first quarter of game three of the SemiFinals of the WNBA Playoffs against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on October 09, 2026 in New York City. (Ishika Samant, Getty Images) 40 / 40 Angel Reese earns WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. See her rise Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after making a basket during the first quarter of game three of the SemiFinals of the WNBA Playoffs against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on October 09, 2026 in New York City. (Ishika Samant, Getty Images) Monday, she already had 15 points in her first 16 minutes in the game.
"I let the team down last game," Reese said. "So I just wanted to make sure I came out tonight and left my mark and did whatever I could to get the win. And I think I did that."
When asked what changed in Game 2, Reese had an easy answer: "I was hungry. We wanted one and we felt like we let one slip away."
More: Angel Reese double-double helps Dream even WNBA Finals vs. Valkyries: Highlights
At 24 years old, Reese entered Monday's game as the youngest player in the Dream's starting lineup and came out of it as the youngest player to record 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA postseason game in league history.
Reese joined Jonquel Jones, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson as the only players to accomplish such a feat – doing so just days after Stewart and Jones encouraged Reese to "Go get it.. Keep going and keep pushing," despite being on the wrong end for the Dream's sweep of the New York Liberty in the semifinals, Reese said.
This is the impact Dream guard Rhyne Howard imagined when Reese arrived to the team via a trade from the Chicago Sky this offseason.
"She's going to be the youngest to set a lot of these records with just how good of a player she is and still being in her third season," Howard told USA TODAY after the win. "Seeing her come out tonight, she had a completely different mindset. Nobody was satisfied with the outcome of Game 1.
"She came out and she really set the tone and we followed her lead."
Howard, who set a WNBA Finals single-game record with six steals Monday night, wasn't the only Dream players to say the team goes as Reese goes.
From Reese's signature chest bumps to encouraging punches after good plays, Howard described Reese as less talk and more action. But that doesn't mean Reese is afraid to use her words.
In the third quarter of Game 2, Reese stomped on the court and walked back on defense after her calls for the ball weren't met with a pass. A few minutes later, she yelled "give me the (expletive) ball!" multiple times in transition.
That didn't bother Atlanta point guard Jordin Canada, who finished with 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
"Angel is such a generational talent, just to see her thrive in the Finals has been really special to watch," Canada said. "You can just see that she wants it really bad. We feed off her energy."
More: WNBA Finals winners and losers include Angel Reese's tenacity, Valkyries' starters
Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles against Jordin Canada #3 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts with Cecilia Zandalasini #24 during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Octo.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Ballhalla t-shirts are seen on the seats before game two of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 1 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 1 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 2 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles against Jordin Canada #3 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 3 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts with Cecilia Zandalasini #24 during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 4 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Octo.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 5 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 6 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 7 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Ballhalla t-shirts are seen on the seats before game two of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Reese breaks Valkyries game plan There was a frenzied glint in Reese's eyes as she went in takeover mode against the WNBA's best defense in front of what many players have described as the league's loudest fan base.
It was a reminder of what has earned Reese her "Loco Cinco" nickname, although it's a less popular one than her many "Barbie" monikers.
More known for basketball insanity is Valkyries Natalie Nakase, who seemed woefully aware Reese's dominance was looming before Monday's game even began.
When Nakase was reminded in her pregame interview with reporters that Reese came out of Game 1 saying she needed to be more aggressive, the Valkyries coach was asked how her team could defend a determined Reese without fouling.
"Don't let her touch it," Nakase said, eventually laughing.
"She's a tough coverage, even when she has the ball. She just drives with force. So it's just taking away the shot that she wants… I'm looking forward to our four best quarters of defense. It will be, today."
Under Nakase's breath, the words "it better be," came out almost like a prayer. One that went unanswered.
For Valkyries center Kiah Stokes, it wasn't hard to pinpoint how Reese — who shot 10-of-16 from the field and 9-of-11 from the field — broke the Valkyries' game plan.
"She does a great job of taking advantage of mismatches. She just has a great motor. She works really hard. She makes it difficult not to foul her. She can finish with her right and her left hand," Stokes said of Reese. "So we really just got to get back to the drawing board and see what else we can come up with."
Game 3, when it tips off Wednesday at State Farm Arena an Atlanta, will tell how much the Valkyries defensive adjustments will matter if Reese simply decides once again she's not losing.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angel Reese said she let Dream down. Her Game 2 response was historic
Source: Sports
