Angel Reese’s Career Week Rockets Dream Back Into Title Contention
Angel Reese Shines as Atlanta Dream Clinch Playoff Spot: WNBA Weekly Roundup
Angel Reese’s Incredible Comeback Week
Angel Reese, the star forward for the Atlanta Dream, just had one of the most amazing weeks of her young career. After a tough moment last Sunday where she missed a potential game-winning shot against the Indiana Fever, she bounced back in a huge way.
Key Highlight: Reese didn’t just bounce back—she exploded onto the scene with the best basketball of her life!
What Made This Week So Special?
Here’s what Reese accomplished in the Dream’s three-game West Coast road trip:
- Career-High 31 Points — In Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury, Reese scored a personal best 31 points, including two clutch free throws in the final minute to seal a 99-89 victory
- First 30-Point Game Ever — This was the first time in her professional career she’s scored 30+ points in a single game
- Perfect Shooting Night — Just one game earlier, she went 9-for-9 from the field (100% shooting!) while putting up 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists
- Historic Achievement — That perfect shooting game made her only the third player in WNBA history to shoot 100% in a 20-point, 10-rebound performance (joining legends Nneka Ogwumike and Tamika Williams-Jeter)
Incredible Stats Across the Road Trip
| Stat | Average | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 24.0 per game | Elite scoring production |
| Rebounds | 11.3 per game | Best rebounder in the world |
| Assists | 4.7 per game | Great playmaking for a forward |
| Steals | 3.7 per game | Elite defensive impact |
| Shooting % | 67.4% | Incredible efficiency |
Important Context: The Dream went 3-0 on this road trip, including a massive win over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces!
Dream Clinch Playoff Spot
Thanks to Reese’s heroics and the team’s three straight wins, the Atlanta Dream have officially qualified for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs!
- They’ve climbed back to 4th place in the standings (24-13 record)
- They’re now ahead of the Indiana Fever in the standings
- This marks their return to the postseason
The Big Question: Can She Keep This Up?
There’s been some criticism of Reese’s shooting near the basket this season:
- She’s shooting 52.5% in the restricted area (right under the basket)
- That’s the lowest among 15 players with 150+ attempts there
- The league average for those players is above 60%
But here’s the thing: When Reese shoots well, the Dream are nearly unbeatable!
- 9-2 record when she shoots 50% or better
- 15-11 record when she shoots below 50%
Playoff Implications: If Reese maintains this recent efficiency, no team will want to face Atlanta in the playoffs. She’s already the world’s best rebounder and has become an elite defender—add consistent scoring, and she’s a top-10 player in the entire league.
WNBA Power Rankings: Complete Breakdown
Here’s where every team stands heading into the final stretch:
Tier 1: Championship Contenders
| Rank | Team | Record | Change | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 31-8 | — | Best team in the league — 6 straight wins, 16 of 17, 5-game lead for #1 seed. Rookie Olivia Miles making history! |
| 2 | Golden State Valkyries | 26-11 | — | Expansion team exceeding expectations, but struggling offensively lately (34% shooting in two losses) |
| 3 | Atlanta Dream | 24-13 | +4 | Biggest mover! Reese’s dominance has them peaking at the perfect time |
| 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 26-13 | — | Defending champs dealing with injuries (NaLyssa Smith knee injury) but still dangerous |
| 5 | New York Liberty | 23-15 | +1 | Leonie Fiebich back from injury—team is 11-4 with her playing |
Tier 2: Solid Playoff Teams
| Rank | Team | Record | Change | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 25-14 | -3 | Caitlin Clark making history (5 career 30pt/10ast games—more than everyone else combined!), but lost 2 straight |
| 7 | Washington Mystics | 22-15 | -2 | Clinched playoff spot! Shakira Austin playing All-WNBA level ball since All-Star break |
| 8 | Dallas Wings | 22-16 | — | Azzi Fudd out for season (4th knee surgery), but team is 2-0 since with Awak Kuier shining defensively |
Tier 3: Eliminated / Playing for Pride
| Rank | Team | Record | Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Portland Fire | 15-22 | Eliminated* | Only team mathematically alive outside top 8, but needs miracle |
| 10 | Chicago Sky | 15-23 | Eliminated | 3rd straight year missing playoffs; giving Mystics a lottery pick |
| 11 | Phoenix Mercury | 13-24 | Eliminated | First Finals team to miss playoffs next year since 2008; DeWanna Bonner bought out |
| 12 | Los Angeles Sparks | 13-24 | Eliminated | Coach admitted ownership wanted more bench minutes; Nneka Ogwumike retiring |
| 13 | Connecticut Sun | 9-27 | Eliminated | Tanking for #1 pick in 2027 draft; key player left early for national team |
| 14 | Toronto Tempo | 11-26 | Eliminated | Expansion team snapped 12-game skid, but lost key players to injury |
| 15 | Seattle Storm | 7-31 | Eliminated | Experimenting with lineups; worst record but lottery odds complicated by rules |
Note: "Eliminated" means officially out of playoff contention. Portland is technically alive but would need to win out while Dallas loses out—virtually impossible.
Summary
Angel Reese has authored one of the most impressive redemption arcs of the WNBA season. After a highly publicized missed game-winner, she responded with:
- Career-high 31 points
- First 30-point game
- Historic 9-for-9 shooting performance
- Led Dream to 3-0 road trip (including win over champs)
- Clinched playoff berth for Atlanta
- Moved Dream to 4th place
The Minnesota Lynx remain the class of the league, but the Dream are peaking at the perfect time. With Reese playing like a top-10 player, Atlanta has become a dangerous playoff opponent nobody wants to face.
The playoff picture is now set with 8 teams locked in, while the bottom 7 play out the string with an eye on the 2027 draft lottery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Angel Reese and why is she so important?
A: Angel Reese is a rookie forward for the Atlanta Dream. She was a college superstar at LSU (winning a national championship) and is already the best rebounder in the WNBA as a rookie. Her recent scoring explosion has transformed the Dream into a playoff threat.
Q: What does "clinched a playoff spot" mean?
A: It means the Atlanta Dream have mathematically guaranteed they will finish in the top 8 of the 12-team league, qualifying for the postseason tournament where the WNBA champion is decided.
Q: Why was Reese’s 9-for-9 shooting game so historic?
A: In the entire 28+ year history of the WNBA, only two other players (Nneka Ogwumike and Tamika Williams-Jeter) had ever scored 20+ points with 10+ rebounds while never missing a shot. Reese is the third ever.
Q: Which teams are the favorites to win the championship?
A: The Minnesota Lynx (31-8) are the clear #1, followed by the Las Vegas Aces (defending champs) and New York Liberty. The Atlanta Dream have vaulted into the conversation with their recent surge.
Q: What happens to the teams that missed the playoffs?
A: They enter the draft lottery for the 2025 WNBA Draft. The worst records get the best odds at the #1 pick. There are also some complicated traded picks involved (like Chicago’s pick going to Washington).