Angel Reese Takes Blame For Dream’s Game 1 Loss in WNBA Finals

Angel Reese didn't give props to Valkyries defense after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

Angel Reese Takes Blame For Dream’s Game 1 Loss in WNBA Finals

Angel Reese (Image credits - Yahoo Sports)

In just her third WNBA campaign, Angel Reese has established herself as one of the league’s best players. She is playing in her first postseason and has led the Atlanta Dream to their first WNBA Finals since 2013.

The Dream faced an in-form Golden State Valkyries in the Final. After clean sweeping their opponents in the first two rounds, the Dream suffered their first loss in the playoffs as they suffered a 68-64 defeat to the Valks at the Chase Center on Saturday night.

It was an uneven game for both sides, with the Dream taking a five-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Dream were outscored 17-8 in the final 10 minutes as Reese looked passive and did not score a single point in the second half.

The former seventh pick has been lauded for her dominance and leadership in the playoffs this year. After the Chicago Sky traded in the summer, she has silenced her critics in her first season in Atlanta.

Reese ended her first Finals game with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and one block. She also committed five fouls and four turnovers in 35 minutes. After the game, she said her poor performance was due to her own lack of aggressiveness.

I don’t think they really did anything. Maybe that was just on me. I wasn’t aggressive enough with the ball, trying to get the ball and get to my spot. So I’m definitely going to do a better job of that next game.

Angel Reese in her press conference

Reese has broken several records this season. She won the Defensive Player of the Year award and finished seventh in the MVP race. While she carried her form into the playoffs, she couldn’t do the same in Game 1 as the Valks took control in the final quarter and eventually secured the win.

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Former WNBA coach credited Valks’ defense contrary to Angel Reese

Angel Reese’s postgame press conference comments did surprise many as she claimed her struggles in the second half had nothing to do with the Valks. She blamed herself for being passive on offense. The 24-year-old has had some clutch moments in these playoffs, but she could not do the same on Saturday night.

Former Phoenix Mercury head coach Cheryl Miller heaped praised on Valks’s defensive efforts and credited them for locking up Reese.”

In my eyes, it was the defense on Angel Reese in the post. They really did a great job of just limiting her touches and making every shot that she did get very difficult.

Cheryl Miller on WNBA on NBC and Peacock

It was not the Finals debut Reese would have hoped for before the game. The Valks’ identity is built on their defensive prowess, and they did a fine job in locking up Reese, who was impressive in the first half.

While the Valks got physical and limited Reese’s dominance in the paint, there was some truth to her comments. She attempted only two shots in the second half after nine in the first.

Angel Reese made some WNBA history in Game 1 of the Finals

Ever since Angel Reese was drafted into the league in 2024, she has been a force to reckon with. She has made history since her rookie season and has broken multiple regular-season records over the last three seasons.

Angel Reese plays with a passion
Angel Reese (Image via Underdog/X)

However, she made some playoff history on Saturday. While all the attention will be on the loss and her subpar performance, Reese became the fastest player to reach 100+ points, 10+ steals, and 10+ blocks in WNBA/NBA playoff history. She also became the youngest center in league history to record a double-double on her Finals debut.

It is unfair to put all the blame on the forward. Her All-Star teammates struggled as well. Allisha Gray may have led her team’s scorers with 19 points, but she shot at 26% from the field. Similarly, Rhyne Howard scored just 12 points and made only three of her 14 shots.

The Valks’ defense was too much for the away side to handle. Reese will get another chance to dominate in all four quarters in Game 2 on Monday night. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back after their first postseason loss.

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