CHAMBLEE, GA ― Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko says Angel Reese is ready for the 2026 WNBA playoffs.
"She seems to be in great spirits. She’s had a couple of really good practices. I think she’s excited
about being in the playoffs this time of year," Smesko said of Reese on Saturday, Sept. 26, one day before the Dream meet the Washington Mystics. We all know how great she's been – she's been great all year – down the stretch she's been."
Reese left a Sept. 23 matchup against the New York Liberty just before halftime after Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu made contact to her face. Ionescu was trying to advance past Reese, who was guarding her, when her elbow hit Reese's nose. The foul was reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant 1. Reese shot two free throws with just under six seconds remaining before exiting the game.
Reese returned to the bench with 6:19 remaining in the third quarter, but didn't check back in. The Dream, however, kept their foot on the gas to defeat the Liberty 83-65 and clinch the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. Atlanta recorded its second consecutive 30-win season.
Reese played 17 minutes, finishing with six points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
The injury shouldn't affect Reese's playoff availability, Smesko said after the game. On Sunday, Sept. 27, Reese is set to make her first WNBA playoff appearance. Smesko said Reese "was cleared" to re-enter the game by the medical staff, but he wanted to play it safe with the postseason starting soon.
"We made a decision that it would be smarter for her to sit out the second half," Smesko said in his postgame interview.
The former LSU product is averaging a double-double for the third consecutive season. She's averaging a career-high 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals through a career-high 43 games. She leads the league in total rebounds, offensive rebounds (4.8 per game) and double-doubles (32).
Earlier this month, Reese became the first player in league history tosecure 500 rebounds in a single season. On Aug. 30, Reese recorded her 29th double-double of the season in the Dream's 89-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx, setting a WNBA single-season double-doubles record.
On Aug. 24, during the Dream's 78-71 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Reese set a WNBA single-game record with 26 total rebounds (18 defensive and eight offensive boards). The same day, Reese also set a single-season rebounding record with 458 rebounds.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angel Reese injury update: Dream star in 'good spirits' before WNBA playoffs
