Angel Reese Praised by Valkyries HC, 'Huge Reason' Dream Advanced to WNBA Finals

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has been impressed with Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese as the two teams prepare to face off in the 2026 WNBA Finals.

"She's the ultimate, ultra competitor to me," Nakase told reporters Tuesday. "When we were at USA, you heard her voice constantly. So when she didn't start, you heard her. She was constantly cheering her teammates on when they needed to, she constantly called them out when we needed energy. So, understanding she's a huge reason why I think that team is in the Finals, Atlanta, because she brings this competitive edge and she's not gonna let any possession slip."

Nakase has some familiarity with Reese, as she served as an assistant coach for the United States during the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. Reese operated as a key rotation piece for a U.S. squad that won gold in the event, averaging a team-high 2.5 offensive rebounds per game.

The 24-year-old has put together an impressive 2026 season for the Dream, taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors while also earning her third consecutive All-Star nod.

Reese has remained impactful in the playoffs, averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds to go along with 2.2 blocks per game across five contests. She's shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point territory in the postseason.

The Dream own a plus-17.5 net rating with Reese on the floor in the playoffs, which drops to a minus-11.6 net rating with her on the bench (via WNBA.com ).

Game 1 between Atlanta and Golden State is on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.