Angel Reese’s Impact on Atlanta Dream Despite Loss

Angel Reese had her first game of the season with her new team, the Atlanta Dream, facing Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday, during a Commissioner’s Cup match.

Although Atlanta had a stronger record and ranking, the Fever won 83-71, with Clark shining against her rival. Despite praise for Clark’s contributions to the league, Reese is also playing a vital role for the WNBA and her team.

Even with Thursday’s setback, Reese recorded her sixth double-double in nine games, scoring 11 points, collecting 10 rebounds, and adding three assists and two blocks.

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Reese started strong with the Dream, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to achieve 100 points and 100 rebounds within her first nine games. ESPN Insights highlighted her immediate influence with the Dream in a social media post on Thursday evening.

Throughout her career, she has surpassed 1,000 points and aims to reach 1,000 rebounds this season in Atlanta. Reese is a two-time WNBA All-Star and currently leads the league in rebounding, averaging 11.3 per game. Last month, she grabbed 16 rebounds against the Dallas Wings, her best performance with the Dream so far.

Reese can achieve 20-rebound games, which she often managed with the Chicago Sky. Her career high was a 22-rebound game in August 2024 against the Las Vegas Aces.

Her tenure with Chicago ended contentiously last season, following controversial comments about the team and a brief suspension, leading to her trade to Atlanta during the offseason.

The Dream seems a perfect fit for Reese, as they hold the top record in the Eastern Conference at 6-3, maintaining their lead despite the recent loss.

The Atlanta Dream will play the Washington Mystics at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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For additional information about Angel Reese and the WNBA, visit Newsweek Sports.