Home / Sports / Angel Reese Manifests Finals Trip: Critics Silenced
Angel Reese Manifests Finals Trip: Critics Silenced
11 Oct
Summary
- Angel Reese predicted a finals trip one year ago and achieved it.
- Reese's defense was crucial in the Dream's 3-0 sweep of the Liberty.
- She became the second-youngest player with DPOY and finals in one season.
Angel Reese has accomplished her year-long goal of reaching the WNBA Finals. Exactly 364 days after manifesting this achievement, the Atlanta Dream forward is celebrating her success. The Dream secured their spot by sweeping the New York Liberty 3-0, with Reese playing a pivotal role.
In the decisive Game 3, Reese scored 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and provided three assists. Her defense significantly disrupted the Liberty's stars, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. This victory was particularly impressive as the team played without key scorer Allisha Gray for most of the series due to injury.
At 24, Reese is the second-youngest player in WNBA history to be named Defensive Player of the Year and reach the finals in the same season, following Brittney Griner. The Dream, who last reached the finals in 2013 and have never won a championship, have been undefeated in the playoffs this postseason.
Atlanta now awaits the winner of the series between the Golden State Valkyries and the Las Vegas Aces for the WNBA championship. Reese's performance this season has extended beyond the playoffs, setting team records for rebounds in a season and a game, and achieving the most single-season double-doubles.
