Reese Powers Dream Rally After Slow Start Against Fever in East Division Battle

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese did not mince words about her opening performance in Sunday’s contest against the Indiana Fever, openly discussing her struggles during a halftime television appearance. Despite beginning the game 0-for-6 from the field and missing numerous attempts near the basket, Reese spearheaded a decisive 17-4 run that allowed the Dream to reach halftime with a four-point advantage.

In an interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Reese expressed candid frustration with her early-game execution while crediting her teammates for maintaining momentum. She highlighted the contributions of Allisha Gray, Madina Okot and Rhyne Howard, noting their ability to keep the Dream competitive despite her shooting difficulties. Reese credited a mental reset and increased trust in her preparation as factors that allowed her to contribute more effectively as the half progressed.

Gray led Atlanta’s scoring attack with 21 points through three quarters against Caitlin Clark and the Fever, while Okot provided depth off the bench with six points, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Reese accumulated seven points and nine rebounds on 3-of-10 shooting during the opening half, showcasing her ability to impact the game beyond the scoring column.

The division leaders entered the contest with first place in the Eastern Conference on the line, with the victor claiming the top seed position. Reese, a three-time All-Star in her third WNBA season, has averaged 15.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per game across 32 contests entering this matchup as the Dream maintained a 21-12 record in 2026.