WNBA Finals: Angel Reese credits Atlanta Dreams teammates after 68-63 loss

Angel Reese told reporters on Saturday that the Atlanta Dreams are “delayed, not denied” after losing the WNBA Finals to the Golden State Valkyries.

The Dreams fell 68-63 to the Valkyries in the series. Reese, who joined the franchise for the 2026 season, praised her teammates’ work ethic and determination despite the result.

“It’s always hard, especially with a great group that I’ve had the honor to battle with all year,” Reese said. “They changed my life and I am just so grateful for them, so thankful for them. And it is tough in the moment but we’ll be back.”

Reese noted that it is only her third year in the league and that her teammates have several more years ahead of them. She added that she would play the same season again because she valued the opportunity to compete with that specific roster.

The season marked several milestones for Reese. She played in the league’s first ever Finals Game 7 and broke the records for double-doubles in both the regular season and the playoffs. She also received her first Defensive Player of the Year Award. Reese attributed her individual improvements and the team's success to coach Karl Smesko.

“When individually you get better in the offseason, you get better collectively, and you can see that Karl puts a lot in,” Reese said. She expressed anticipation for another year under Smesko’s system.

The finals series drew record attendance for the Dreams. The team moved from the 7,000-seat Gateway Center Arena to the 16,000-seat State Farm Arena, which is home to the Atlanta Hawks. Celebrities including Usher, Monica, and TI attended games to support the squad. The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 12, 2027, though no official start date has been announced for the next regular season.