Angel Reese Reacts to Making 1st WNBA Finals After Dream Eliminate Liberty From Playoff Bracket

Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese has advanced to the 2026 WNBA Finals almost exactly one year after announcing she was manifesting that accomplishment.

"I manifested this. When I came to Atlanta, I knew what I was getting," Reese said after the Dream clinched a Finals berth with an 85-83 win over the New York Liberty in Friday night's Game 3 of the semifinals.

Reese continued, "This team has poured so much into me. We poured so much into each other. I posted and Tweeted, 10/10/25, that I was manifesting the Finals, and this is my moment. I'm supposed to be here. I thank God for this moment."

Reese was referencing a post she shared on social media the day the Las Vegas Aces won the 2025 title over the Phoenix Mercury.

She later explained why she made that post while speaking with reporters after the win:

"I was watching the game... I've sat at home for the last two years and watched it. And I kept saying, I texted [Kahleah Copper] and I was like... give me one game in the playoffs and have an opportunity to come to Atlanta. Them wanting me in Atlanta and being able to push me every day to help me get to this very moment it's really a shout out to them. I manifest a lot of things. I think it's important to speak positives into your life, positive into your team. But this is all God. I'm just so thankful and I'm blessed to be able to be in a situation a lot of people wish they were here and I'm not gonna take this moment for granted. I'm here for a reason, we're all here for a reason. In chapel today they talked about the moment, being able to maximize the moment. And we have a very praying crew group. Eight out of the 12 of our players go to chapel, and we take that seriously. So I'm just really happy about the girls that are just in that locker room. It's just really a blessing to be around them."

Reese will now cap off her WNBA postseason debut with her own trip to the championship series. The 24-year-old told reporters after the game that "the job is not done" and the Dream are "not satisfied" by just making it to the Finals.

She started out Friday's elimination game by scoring 10 points in a quarter for the first time in her postseason career, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou .

That scoring outburst included a pair of three-pointers. The Dream are now 13-0 in games during which Reese scores from deep, per ESPN Insights.

Reese finished the game with a team-high 22 points on 7-for-18 shooting from the field to go along with nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.

She has now racked up the most steals and blocks in a single postseason by any center making their first WNBA playoff appearance, per Polymarket Hoops .

Reese was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Dream in exchange for a package including two first-round picks in April.

The Sky won a total of 23 games over two seasons with Reese before the trade, after which Reese said she had come to Atlanta to win a title.

Reese went on to win the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year award before assisting in the Dream's first run to the Finals since 2013.

She will now look to cap off her third WNBA season by helping lead the Dream battle for the franchise's first title against either the Golden State Valkyries or Las Vegas Aces. The Valkyries currently hold a 2-0 semifinal lead and could close out their own series Friday night in Las Vegas.