Angel Reese didn’t just return from a foot injury on Monday. She played like she had something to prove, even if nobody asked her to.
The Atlanta Dream forward put up 23 points and 13 rebounds against the Los Angeles Sparks, leading her team to a 91-82 win at Gateway Center. That’s her 16th double-double of the season, which leads the league. And she did it two days after being spotted in a walking boot.
Reese missed Atlanta’s loss to Portland on Saturday with the foot issue. The Dream clearly needed her back. With four minutes left in the fourth quarter and the game tight, Atlanta went on a 9-0 run. Reese was at the center of it. The Dream improved to 14-10.
After the game, Reese told USA Sports she just wanted to win. “It feels good. I just wanted to do whatever it takes to get a win. I’m happy. I felt good. The environment was crazy,” she said. “It felt like I was on the blacktop. I felt like I was back home in Baltimore.”
She also mentioned having extra motivation with her family in the stands. That tracks. Reese has always been the type to feed off energy, whether it’s from a crowd or the people closest to her.
Allisha Gray added 20 points. Jordin Canada had 16 points and nine assists. Rhyne Howard chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists. But the night belonged to Reese, who is now in her first season with the Dream after being traded from Chicago. She earned her third straight All-Star nod this year.
Reese’s style has always been polarizing. She plays with an edge, talks, and doesn’t back down from anyone. That’s gotten her into some scraps over the years. But it’s also why she’s one of the most watchable players in the league. She doesn’t care who’s in front of her. She’s going at them.
The Dream will be back on the road Friday to visit the Toronto Tempo.
Leave a Comment