Angel Reese makes personal admission after Game 1 loss

Imagn Images

Angel Reese makes personal admission after Game 1 loss

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 18, 2026 9:22 AM ET

Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream entered Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday with a lot of momentum. It did not go according to plan, but the star forward made a personal admission after the 68-64 loss.

Reese finished with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, along with 12 rebounds, two steals and one block. Allisha Gray spearheaded Atlanta’s charge with a team-high 19 points, with six rebounds and two assists, while Rhyne Howard added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. However, no other Dream player scored in double digits.

The Golden State Valkyries were led by Gabby Williams’ 26 points, four rebounds and two assists. While she was the team’s only double-digit scorer, eight of her teammates scored in the game. Both teams struggled from the field and the matchup became a battle of execution, especially down the stretch.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) warms up before a WNBA preseason game against the Chicago Sky.

Dream star Angel Reese shares take on Valkyries’ defense on her

Reese opened up on what Golden State did to limit her shots. She emphasized that it was her lack of aggressiveness that led to her 11 field-goal attempts.

“I don’t think they really did anything,” Reese said. “Maybe that was just on me. I wasn’t aggressive enough with the ball and trying to get the ball and get to my spot. So I’m definitely going to do a better job of that next game.”

Angel Reese on if the Valkyries did anything to limit her shot attempts in the 2nd half:

“I don’t think they really did anything … I wasn’t aggressive enough.” https://t.co/bE83DogyvN

— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) October 17, 2026

Sunday’s defeat was Atlanta’s first in this year’s postseason. The team swept the Washington Mystics in the first round and eliminated the New York Liberty in three games in the semifinals. Reese’s has proven that she is capable of contributing bigger numbers, and she vowed to do so in the next game. She and her teammates are aiming to tie the series at 1-1 before it shifts to State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4.

Game 2 will also be played at Chase Center on Monday. CNBC will broadcast it live at 8 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: