{
  "id": 2719144,
  "title": "Angel Reese scores career-high 31 points to lead Dream over Mercury and clinch WNBA playoff berth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/angel-reese-scores-career-high-31-points-to-lead-dream-over-mercury",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T04:54:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article/angel-reese-scores-career-high-31-points-to-lead-dream-over-mercury-and-clinch-wnba-playoff-berth-045412221.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "**Angel Reese Shatters Career High, Leads Dream to Victory over Mercury**\n\nAtlanta Dream forward Angel Reese delivered a career-high 31 points in the team's 99-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Saturday's road game. Reese's scoring spree came after a strong debut on the night, when she shot 9-for-9 from the field. Despite Phoenix's strong third-quarter performance, led by Kahleah Copper's 38 points, Reese carried the Dream to a decisive fourth-quarter surge, scoring 15 of her total points in that frame. Her previous career high was 27 points, achieved in July of her rookie season with the Chicago Sky. Reese also added 14 rebounds in the win, her first time breaking the 30-point mark in a single WNBA game. With this win, the Dream became the fifth team to clinch a playoff berth. The Dream currently sit fourth in the standings with a 24-13 record and a game in hand. Despite two strong performances from Phoenix stars Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, who scored 38 and 22 points respectively, the Dream's victory marks a significant milestone for Reese. The Dream, who are now among the teams set to enter the postseason, will look to capitalize on their momentum and break a three-year run of first-round losses in the playoffs.",
  "summary": "Phoenix wasn't able to pull off the win, despite a 38-point night from Kahleah Copper or a historic triple-double from Alyssa Thomas.",
  "key_points": [
    "Angel Reese scores 31 points, career-high for Dream",
    "Dream defeats Phoenix Mercury 99-89 in road game",
    "Win secures Dream's playoff berth, fifth team to do so"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Angel Reese's breakout performance cements her role as a leading scorer and helps the Atlanta Dream secure a playoff spot, highlighting their potential for a deeper postseason run.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "‘Unreal,’ ‘Even Better Than [Caitlin] Clark’ – WNBA World Praises Angel Reese’s Career-High Night vs. Mercury, Seals Atlanta’s Playoff Berth",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/unreal-even-better-than-caitlin-clark-wnba-world-praises-angel-reeses",
        "published": "2026-08-23T07:34:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}