Angel Reese helped Atlanta complete a first-round sweep of Washington before being named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Angel Reese played a key role in the Atlanta Dream’s playoff advancement, not just through scoring but by defusing a potentially tense moment during their 93-75 win over the Washington Mystics on September 30. During the fourth quarter, with the game already in hand, Reese moved quickly to pull Allisha Gray away from what could have developed into a confrontation. The intervention happened with 3:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, and it helped separate Gray from an opposing player before things could escalate further.
No additional technical foul or unsportsmanlike conduct was called during the exchange.
The Dream swept the series two games to zero, earning their first semifinal appearance since 2018 and setting up a matchup with the New York Liberty, according to sports.ndtv.com. Gray led the team in scoring with 22 points and four steals while Jordin Canada contributed 19 points and 11 assists. Canada scored 13 of her 19 points in the decisive fourth quarter.
After the game, Reese and Gray were seen waving goodbye to their opponents, a gesture that drew mixed reactions from fans online, according to a report from the-sun.com. Veteran teammate DeWanna Bonner did not approve of the gesture and pulled their hands down, signaling her disapproval of the display. Some fans criticized Reese’s behavior as lacking class, while others praised Bonner for stepping in and showing leadership.
Bonner joined the Dream later in the season after agreeing to a buyout with the Phoenix Mercury, bringing experience to a team aiming for a deep run. The Dream’s next challenge is against the New York Liberty, who upset the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round of playoffs. Game 1 of the semifinals is scheduled for October 4, with the Liberty led by Sabrina Ionescu.
Reese’s actions were part of a larger effort that saw Atlanta win with strong defense, passing, and scoring throughout the game, The Sporting News reported.
Following the playoff win, Reese was named the 2026 Kia Defensive Player of the Year on October 1, becoming the first player in Atlanta Dream history to earn that honor. This achievement underscores her growing impact on the team and her role as a leader in the league.
IMAGE: Angel Reese. Photo: Alexander Jonesi / Wikimedia, taken 2021-11-21, CC BY-SA 2.0