Kim Mulkey Gives Angel Reese Highest Praise Ahead of Crucial Game 7: “Absolutely Hates to Lose”
Kim Mulkey knows all too well how Angel Reese's competitive fire has helped her win throughout her basketball career.
Follow Us
Kim Mulkey with Angel Reese (Image via WAFB/X)
With a few days left in the 2026 WNBA season, fans are waiting to watch Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream battle Gabby Williams and her Golden State Valkyries in Game 7.
The latter will hope to use the support their passionate fans provide when the whistle blows for tip-off. They will also likely revert to their core strength: relentless defense to throw opponents off their rhythm.
Williams and her teammates tried to continue their Games 4 & 5 tactics in Game 6. However, with their backs to the wall, Reese and her teammates were on a mission to ensure they got one more chance.
The Maryland native has made it clear that the job is still unfinished. In fact, her former head coach believes that is the forward’s most important quality.
Angel is a winner. At every level she has played basketball, she has won championships… She is in the top 3 of all time of kids I have coached of being one that absolutely hates to lose. She takes it upon her shoulders that when her team’s lose, it’s her fault. She takes it hard.
Kim Mulkey said
This was the longtime college coach’s response to reporters after her LSU dominated Loyola in their final preseason exhibition game. Kim Mulkey reiterated that she has first-hand experience coaching and observing her former protege to know that.
After all, Angel Reese dipped into that character when she helped the Tigers win the 2023 NCAA National Championship over Caitlin Clark‘s Iowa Hawkeyes, and also led them to the Elite Eight in the following season without most of the players from that title-winning season.
Usher celebrated with Angel Reese and the Dream
Kim Mulkey must have felt proud watching her former player lead her professional team to avoid losing the championship battle. In fact, musical superstar Usher was also proud of the team and met Angel Reese after the game once she was done with her interview.
This was not the first time the two had met, and keeping their relationship in check, the Dream superstar asked Usher if he wanted to meet the rest of the team. When he arrived inside the locker room, he said:
I’m proud of y’all… One more.
Usher said
After celebrating the win with the Dream, the multiple Grammy Award-winning star then told the team that they were welcome to his concerts in Atlanta next month.
If they win, that collective appearance at an Atlanta concert with the city’s fans will be quite the memory. But for that, they have to win, and they have to figure out how to repeat their Game 7 performance.
Angel Reese and her Dream have to stop the Valkyries from playing their game
Thankfully, the 2026 WNBA Finals extended to Game 7. Otherwise, Angel Reese and her team would face criticism for their inability to overcome the Golden State Valkyries’ intense defensive pressure.
They seem to have figured out how to perform despite those obstacles, and the team’s fans will be hoping to see that again in Game 7. It is easier said than done, as Reese and her teammates will be battling the odds.
Not only will they have to be wary of the Valkyries playing the style of basketball they have perfected all season, but their passionate fans will be loud every single minute.
Therefore, it will be quite the battle to keep their cool amidst the collective pressure. Angel Reese and her teammates will have their task cut out, but if they can overcome that, the end result will be well worth it.
Also Read:
Joseph Varghese
(5455 Articles Published)