Angel Reese’s path to the WNBA Finals represents a significant turnaround for the young star. Last year, the Dream player watched the championship series from home after Chicago’s season ended without a playoff appearance. Dissatisfied with that outcome, Reese publicly stated her intention to make the Finals, texting a friend that she needed just one playoff game to turn things around before tweeting about her aspirations.
The manifestation came to fruition following an offseason trade to Atlanta. Reese posted career statistics during the regular season, recording 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while earning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year recognition. The Dream, who had been the third seed in the previous year’s playoffs before losing in the first round, made significant strides with her addition.
Reese’s postseason performance has been particularly impressive. Atlanta has not lost since the playoffs began, sweeping both the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty to advance to their first Finals appearance since 2013. In the semifinals alone, Reese averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three-point range.
The 24-year-old, selected seventh overall in the 2024 draft, has become the first player from her draft class to lead a team to the Finals, surpassing higher draft picks who have yet to win a playoff series. Following a semifinal victory over the Liberty at Barclays Center on Friday, Reese recorded 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks as Atlanta won 85-83. She emphasized that while celebrating the achievement, the team’s work remains unfinished with the championship still ahead.
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