As goes Angel Reese, so goes the Atlanta Dream.
The Dream’s late-season rise corresponded with Angel’s individual ascendance. In the postseason, and especially the 2026 WNBA Finals, the correlation between Reese’s performance and Atlanta’s result has been more pronounced.
In the second half of Game 1 and for all of Game 4, the Golden State Valkyries succeeded in containing Reese and, in turn, were able to escape with wins. In Games 2 and 3, in contrast, Angel was unleashed, captaining the Dream to comfortable
wins with her displays of dominance.
And because of how absolutely pivotal her play has been to the outcome of every Finals game, and not just because of her outsized persona and overwhelming popularity, all eyes will be on Angel in Game 5 of this 2-2 chmapionship series (8 p.m. ET, USA Network/CNBC).
It’s a spot in which Reese is comfortable. The bigger stage, the brighter the spotlight, the more Angel brings it.
Yet, until Game 5 tips off in Ballhalla on Monday night, no one will be more maniacally obsessed with figuring out how to make sure that Reese is uncomfortable than Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase.
After the Valkyries won Game 1, Nakase bluntly explained her approach to defending Angel, asserting, “Don’t let her touch it.”
Following Game 4, she praised her team for being “locked into the details,” citing how their composure, plus the rim protection from Kiah Stokes, was crucial to preventing another Angel masterclass.
So, knowing Nakase’s mission, how will Dream head coach Karl Smesko put Reese in position to issue a resounding response?
Considering the connection between Angel’s production and the Dream’s success, surely Smesko will prioritize offensive strategies that feature Angel? Or, aware that Golden State is diverting extra defensive attention to her, should Smesko look to leverage that attention, utilizing Angel’s gravity to generate better opportunities for her Dream teammates?
The ideal answer for Dream fans is, “Yes!” Do both. And more.
What do you think?
Obviously, it’s easy to suggest that Atlanta needs to get Angel the ball, as she profanely, and rightfully, demanded in Game 2.
From what spots on the floor would you like to see her operate? Alternatively, how would you like to see Atlanta exploit all the attention on Angel to facilitate scoring chances for her teammates? Furthermore, how do you expect Golden State to try to counter Atlanta’s efforts to get Reese going?
It’s far from a sophisticated strategy, but I do believe in the power of the Angel 3.
In the playoffs, the Dream remain undefeated when Angel converts from downtown, extending a pattern that persisted throughout the regular season. Overall, Atlanta is 15-0 when Reese drains a triple.
Early in Game 4, Angel hesitated when open from behind the arc, passing up an opportunity to fire away as Stokes was stationed in the paint.
She’s got to take it. As that 15-0 record indicates, an Angel made 3-pointer is worth a lot more than three points. It injects Reese with even more energy. It enlivens her teammates. It deflates the opponent.
A foundational aspect of Angel’s greatness is her fearlessness, including the fact that she is unafraid to make mistakes. She’s can’t fear a miss, or even an airball. The triples will be available; take them.
And when Angel ventures inside the arc, seeking out scoring chances as Stokes and the Valkyries seek to stifle her, a similar spirit of offensive aggression must be adapted by her frontcourt partner, Naz Hillmon.
Unlike with Angel, Naz’s production usually has little correlation with the Dream’s outcome. Even when she goes scoreless or grabs just a few rebounds, she’ll still often own the team’s best plus-minus, an indication of the impact of all the little things she does.
Yet, things are sure easier for the Dream when Naz does score.
With Golden State preoccupied with Angel, can Naz take full advantage, using her strength to exploit a lesser defender and beast her way to the basket, cutting into the openings created by Angel’s gravity or crashing the glass for weakside rebounds and putbacks?
Sometimes, Hillmon is too hesitant around the basket, seeming to recognize that her lack of elite size could make a finish more difficult. As evidenced by Stokes’ Finals-record 13 blocks (and counting), the foundation of the Valkyrie defense is going to swat her share of shots. Hillmon, still, should just go for it, embracing aggression and not fearing rejection.
In short, I’m looking to Thunder Twins to bring the boom in Ballhalla, playing with a relentlessness that can render irrelevant Golden State’s best-designed defensive game plans.
In the comments, tell us who you’ll have your eyes on in Game 5.
Is there a Dreamer or Valkyrie you’re looking at to come through in a bigger, better or different way in order to give her team the 3-2 Finals edge?
