The Angel Reese trade becomes more stunning every day
Last fall, Angel Reese was on the outskirts in Chicago, suspended for half a game for what the Sky deemed “statements detrimental to the team” after she criticized the Sky’s management and roster construction in a Chicago Tribune interview. In April, she was traded to the Atlanta Dream, joining an already-elite squad that had fallen […]
In October 2026, Atlanta forward Angel Reese made a remarkable comeback, transforming into a defensive powerhouse and clutch performer for the Atlanta Dream. Initially traded to the team in April 2026 following a controversial statement about the Sky’s management, Reese’s impact was far greater than anyone anticipated. In her first season with the Dream, she earned the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week three times.
During the thrilling Game 2 of the semi-finals against the New York Liberty, Reese delivered a masterclass in basketball, recording a team-high 23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Her defensive prowess earned her the best plus-minus rating of the game. Reese’s presence on the floor created opportunities for her teammates, and she managed to secure rebounds and force turnovers, making her a critical component of the Dream’s success.
Reese’s clutch performances were a sight to behold. Despite being the least accurate free-throw shooter on the Dream’s roster, she calmly sank both clutch-time free throws, securing a three-point lead in both regulation and overtime. In a display of sheer determination, Reese hit a game-tying layup with 44 seconds left in overtime, sealing the Dream's victory with a final score of 101-98.
The Dream were without their top scorer, Allisha Gray, who suffered a hand injury during Game 1. However, Reese’s teammates rose to the occasion, with Jordin Canada adding 23 points and 8 assists, and Isabel Borlase contributing 11 points. Reese praised her teammates' effort, emphasizing the importance of supporting one another.
With a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five semi-finals, the Dream find themselves in a strong position, just one win away from claiming the WNBA Finals. The trade for Angel Reese has proven to be a generational move for the Atlanta Dream, and her impact on the court will be remembered as one of the most stunning trades in WNBA history.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
