Angel Reese Proud of Dream Despite Game 7 Loss

Angel Reese did not hang her head after Game 7. The Dream star said Saturday was still the most fun season of her career, even after Atlanta fell 68-63 to the Valkyries at Chase Center with the WNBA title on the line.

"This is the most fun I've had with a group. It's the most competitive team I've been part of," Reese told ESPN's Michael Voepel. "And just because we didn't win today doesn't mean that we won't be champions in the future."

A Big Year in Her First Season in Atlanta

Reese spent her first two years with the Sky before Chicago traded her to Atlanta in April. This was her first trip to the playoffs, and she took it all the way to one win from a ring.

"I'm really proud of the year that I had," she said. "I love these girls. I love the coaches. I think it also sucks because our fanbase back home poured into us so much this year, and we really wanted to do it for them. But we're forever grateful, and like I said, we'll be back."

Game 7 itself was rough. Reese went 3 of 7 for eight points, and Rhyne Howard went 3 of 14, including 0 of 7 from three, for six. Allisha Gray scored 16 on 5 of 16 shooting, and Jordin Canada led Atlanta with 18 points and five assists. Gabby Williams dropped 30 for Golden State, and that was the difference.

The Offense Disappeared in the Finals

This was a team that averaged 91.3 points per game in the regular season. In all four Finals losses, the Dream scored under 65, and they shot 38% or worse in every one of them. In their three wins they put up 79, 97 and 80.

Coach Karl Smesko blamed too much isolation against a great defense. "That was probably our biggest weakness in the series," he said. "There really were just too many empty possessions."

Why Dream Fans Should Feel Good

Atlanta has every starter signed for next season, and Reese said she is looking forward to another year of development under Smesko. The Dream also move all their home games to State Farm Arena next year after playing at the smaller Gateway Center Arena since 2021.

It was the Dream's fourth Finals trip, and the first three in 2010, 2011 and 2013 were sweeps. This one went seven. With the whole core coming back and Reese this locked in, Atlanta fans have a real reason to circle next season already.