The Atlanta Dream have once again emerged as a playoff contender this season, and Angel Reese is a huge part of this team’s rise. In her first 14 games with the Dream, Reese averages a league-leading 12.2 rebounds per outing, along with 15.1 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field.
As impressive as Reese has been in the early goings of the 2026 campaign, she also recognizes the importance of her team’s depth in their 10-4 start. After the Dream defeated the Indiana Fever 108-101 on Thursday for their second straight victory, Reese complimented her teammates for holding the fort while she was on the bench due to foul trouble.
“It’s a breath of fresh air, just being able to know that, even when I do sit down, I’m not worried. Because this is a team, and our team is so good. We have so many different weapons from different players…It’s really cool.”
In the win on Thursday, the Dream’s bench unit narrowly outscored the Fever’s reserve players. They were led by rookie Isobel Borlase, who scored nine points on 4-for-7 FG shooting.
Ironically, the Dream is dead last in bench scoring this season, though this reserve unit is fourth in field goal percentage. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s starting five is second in scoring, second in rebounding, and fourth in assists.
Thanks in large part to Reese’s presence, the Dream’s first five lead all other starting units in offensive rebounds. Dominance on the boards is one category that this squad will look to capitalize on as they target a fourth consecutive playoff run.
Shannon Sharpe Calls Angel Reese a “Lunch Pail Lady” With Championship Potential
Seeing the Dream overcome the Fever Thursday night, analyst Shannon Sharpe gave Angel Reese her flowers on his “Nightcap” podcast.
“She’s a lunch pail lady who’s gonna get you second chance opportunities. She’s gonna dominate the glass. She’s a hustle, hustle, hustle player. [3:28]”
Sharpe added that Reese’s public feuds (such as her vote of no confidence in the Chicago Sky’s front office last September) do not diminish her brilliance on the court.
READ MORE: Angel Reese Couldn’t Hide Her Excitement Over Serena and Venus Williams Running It Back At Wimbledon
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