Angel Reese leads Atlanta Dream comeback over Minnesota Lynx in debut
Meghan L. HallAngel Reese's first game with the Atlanta Dream may not have gone exactly as planned.
The Dream trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half. But Atlanta fought back for a 91-90 victory over the Minnesota Lynx to open the 2026 WNBA season on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Reese slammed the door shut with a game-saving block of Emese Hof's layup attempt to give the Dream the victory. Reese finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. It was her 50th career double-double.
"It was rough for me tonight, but this is what you call a team," Reese said. "Being able to have players that have your back and always pick you up, even when you're not having the best game and always in your ear, putting a lot of confidence into you."
The Dream stunned Minnesota on its home floor with a masterful 28-point fourth-quarter comeback. Guards Te-Hina Paopao and Allisha Gray made clutch plays down the stretch to keep Atlanta out in front. Paopao sank a timely jumper, and Gray unleashed a furious block on rookie Olivia Miles to keep Minnesota from taking over.
"Angel's been practicing great, and she came up big at the biggest moments. She had that late layup and offensive rebound, and then, she had the block to win it," head coach Karl Smesko said postgame. "I do think at first she was just trying to feel her way around a little bit, maybe first game nerves with us, but then, just like she is, she's a total competitor."
Angel Reese gets a double-double vs Lynx
Angel Reese has officially earned a double-double versus Minnesota. At the 6:39 mark of the fourth quarter, Reese finished a running layup to put her up to 11 points and 13 rebounds, plus two blocks and a steal.
Reese's double-double was the 50th of her career. She earned that milestone in 65 games, the fewest of any player in WNBA history. Reese, 24, is the second youngest player to hit such a milestone, only behind Tina Charles.
Angel Reese shared a pregame hug with Lynx rookie Olivia Miles
End of Q3: Lynx 71, Dream 63
Allisha Gray had 16 third-quarter points, and Atlanta cut Minnesota's lead down to one, but Minnesota responded with a 13-6 run to push the lead back up. It's 71-63 at the end of three quarters.
Gray leads all scorers with 22 points. Reese is up to six points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Rookie Olivia Miles has 15 for Minnesota.
Angel Reese gets a nifty, step-through score vs Lynx
Angel Reese grabs 10 rebounds vs Lynx
True to form, nobody dominates the boards quite like Reese. At the 8:40 mark of the third quarter, she snagged her 10th rebound. At the 7:53 mark of the third, the Dream have cut the lead down to 10, 54-44.
Halftime: Lynx 52, Dream 37
Minnesota is in firm control as it takes a 52-37 lead into halftime. Atlanta is struggling despite scoring 25 points in the second quarter. The Dream are up to 13 turnovers and are shooting 36 % from the floor. No Atlanta player is in double figures.
Reese is also having a challenging shooting day, 1-of-5 with 3 points and nine rebounds.
Lynx build 13-point lead over Dream
Minnesota's defense continues to pour it on, forcing 11 Atlanta turnovers. The Lynx have scored 15 points off those same giveaways. At the 3:54 mark of the second quarter, Minnesota leads 43-30. Coutney Williams leads all scorers with 10 points.
End of Q1: Minnesota 24, Dream 12
The Atlanta Dream had a rough first quarter. Atlanta couldn't find much offensive rhythm and struggled from the floor as Minnesota turned up the defensive pressure. Reese also struggled, going 1-of-4 from the floor. She finished the period with two points and six rebounds.
Angel Reese scores first points in a Dream uniform
Angel Reese's first official points in a Dream uniform come at the 6:57 mark of the first quarter. Reese scored a layup on an and-1 opportunity. Reese has 2 points and four rebounds.
Angel Reese and the Dream's matchup against the Lynx underway
Angel Reese's Atlanta Dream debut is underway. In the first two minutes of play, she already has four rebounds.
Angel Reese and the Dream starters are ready to go
Angel Reese takes the court with her Dream teammates
Dream coach shares Angel Reese update before Lynx game
"She has been exceptional in practice. She's really been eager to learn and get better. She's just been super motivated and really super enjoyable to coach," Smesko said of Reese pregame.