Angel Reese's Historic First Season With Atlanta Deserves More Attention

 

Making the decision to move forward from her time with the Chicago Sky was a bold move, but for Angel Reese, in just her first 31 games with the Atlanta Dream, she has already made a lasting impact from the records she's broken to the crucial role she now has in their success.

A New Beginning for Reese

Building Her Foundation in Chicago

Gaining all the traction she needed in her final two collegiate seasons at LSU, Angel Reese had momentum coming into her rookie season for the Chicago Sky. The No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese arguably an underdog having dropped to the middle of the First Round. However, Reese has used these doubts and uncertainties from the media and fans as fuel for an incredible start to her professional career. Despite being a rookie, Reese put the league on notice in 2024 when she averaged 13.6 points, 13.1rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. In 27 of the 34 games, she competed in during her rookie season, Reese recorded a double-double. Not only is this rarely heard of (let alone by a rookie), but this demanding dominance by Reese landed her as a 2024 WNBA All-Star. Although the Sky would miss the 2024 Playoffs with a 13-27 record as they were still under rebuild, they had one thing certain and that was that Angel Reese has made a seamless transition to the W. Following her historical rookie season, Angel Reese still had something to prove.

While Reese clearly wanted to help lead her team to the playoffs, she also wanted to continue to establish herself as a real competitor by proving doubters wrong. Though the Sky would miss the playoffs yet again in the 2025 season while under the new coaching of Tyler Marsh, one thing remained a constant and that was Angel Reese's ability to compete and thrive on both ends of the court. In her sophomore campaign, Reese averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Considering that the Sky would go 10-34 in the 2025 season despite Angel Reese's personal success, there was arguably no clear direction for the Sky at the moment with the changes in coaching staff, players in hopes to continue the rebuild, etc. It was because of these things that Reese requested to be traded early in 2026, in hopes that she would find a team that better valued and utilized to become title contenders. On April 6, 2026, the Chicago Sky traded Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks (2027 and 2028), currently ending her career with the Chicago Sky.

Reese Finds Her Place in Atlanta

Since joining the Atlanta Dream in April of this year, Angel Reese's stardom hasn't stopped. Being paired up with All-Star guards Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard have been an amazing trio to watch, and the frontcourt of Angel Reese and Brionna Jones is cinematic. In her new home, Reese's impact has been evident as she currently averages 15.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Not only is Angel Reese second in the entire WNBA for total steals, but she also leads the W in rebounds per game as she is one of the two WNBA players that average a double-double. Although the Dream have had a rollercoaster of a season whether it was their rise to be the number one team in the Eastern Conference and number one offense in the W, or their dropoff to once losing five games in a row, Angel Reese has been one of the most consistent pieces no matter their circumstances. So much so that in only nine games out of the 31 that she has competed in for the Dream, Reese has recorded a double-double. This insane statistic leads us into Reese's latest standout performance.

Angel Reese's Most Recent Display of Dominance

Last night, on August 10, 2026, Angel Reese made history yet again in the Atlanta Dream's matchup with the Toronto Tempo. In a 20-point 14-rebound double-double, Reese was a crucial factor in the Dream's 107-95 victory over the Tempo. In this contest with the Tempo, Reese was firing on all cylinders from being a menace in the paint on offense and defense to even knocking down her own shots, including a three. Alongside her overall success in scoring and rebounding, Reese had a very efficient outing as she shot 50% from the field, 33.3% from three, and 83.3% from the free-throw line. This consistency from Reese is key to the Dream and their success, especially if the rest of the team has their own struggles to connect on shots, rebound, etc. Not only was this a great bounce back for Reese as she struggled to score in the Dream's previous matchup with the Washington Mystics, but it also helps elevate the Atlanta Dream's record above others in the Eastern Conference and their push for the playoffs. Now, from the surface it may seem that this double-double was just an ordinary game for Angel Reese, but that is not the case. With this double-double against the Tempo, Angel Reese has broken an Atlanta Dream franchise record for most double-doubles in a season (22). This record as well as her continued improvement and progression in just her third season as a pro give even more reason for the media and fans to give Angel Reese her flowers, if they haven't already.

Where Do Reese and the Dream Stand?

Although the Atlanta Dream have had their fair share of highs and lows this season, they have come together as a team and won crucial games. Because of this, they have successfully climbed back to the number one spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-12. Considering where they started, fell to, and are at now, this is an incredible turnaround for the Dream and exciting for fans as they look to go far in the playoffs. However, it's important to stay grounded and where your feet are, and that's what the Dream are doing. With that in mind, the Atlanta Dream look to take on the Connecticut Sun on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Keeping in mind the season that the Sun are having and the struggles they have faced, this matchup should be a confidence boost for the Dream. However, they could be like the Las Vegas Aces and rest their star players to prevent any injuries before the most critical stretch of the season, as well as the FIBA World Cup break coming at the end of this month into early September. Following this contest with the Sun, the Atlanta Dream will have their final home game before starting a 4-game road trip. In this final home game before heading out west, the Dream look to take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Not only is this a crucial matchup as it will further settle the standings in the Eastern Conference, but it will also be a competitive rivalry game that surely won't disappoint. Will Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream continue to find success and keep their spot as the number one team in the Eastern Conference?