Angel Reese walked off the court at Chase Center with her head up. After the Atlanta Dream fell 68-63 to the Golden State Valkyries in Saturday's Game 7 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, the All-Star shifted her focus forward.
"Just because we didn't win today doesn't mean that we won't be champions in the future," Reese said.
Angel Reese's Record-Breaking Year in Atlanta
Reese's reaction doubled as proof of her growth since joining Atlanta earlier this year.
After arriving via trade in April, Reese collected a Defensive Player of the Year award, a World Cup gold medal with Team USA, and multiple rebounding records — all before pulling within one win of her first WNBA title.
Still, a rough shooting night kept the Dream from closing things out at Ballhalla. Atlanta converted just 38% of their shots, while Golden State's Gabby Williams finished with 30 points to seal the title at Chase Center.
Despite the result, Reese called this Atlanta Dream roster "the most competitive team I've been part of."
"I'm really proud of the year that I had," Reese said. "I've done a lot of great things this year, but I wouldn't be able to do it without this group. I love these girls."
All five starters, including Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, are signed through next season as the franchise relocates to the bigger State Farm Arena.
After three previous WNBA Finals losses, pushing the Golden State Valkyries to seven games marks real progress for a program building toward its first championship title.
