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Angel McCoughtry announces her intention to return September 8

By Bria Felicien

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 24: Angel McCoughtry #35 of Atlanta Dream shakes hands with referees prior to a game against the Dallas Wings on May 24, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 24: Angel McCoughtry #35 of Atlanta Dream shakes hands with referees prior to a game against the Dallas Wings on May 24, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A big announcement from Atlanta’s biggest star

ATLANTA – WNBA veteran Angel McCoughtry says she plans to return to the court for the Atlanta Dream for the team’s season finale on September 8 vs. the Liberty at State Farm Arena.

McCoughtry has not played in a game this season and has been recovering from a knee injury she suffered late in 2018. On Tuesday she wrote on Instagram, “Proud to announce that I will be playing in the last game September 8th. It’s an honor for all the Atlanta dream fans to see me in that jersey one more time before the season ends. Can’t wait.”

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McCoughtry has been at every home game this season, but her return to the court may be a symbolic gesture for fans and give her an opportunity to get on the floor once during the 2019 season. McCoughtry has previously said she wanted to return to the team during playoff time, and since Dream currently sit last in the league with a 5-22 record, this may be her opportunity to do so.

“We have briefly discussed it,” said Dream head coach Nicki Collen during the team’s post-game press conference. “She met with a doctor yesterday, but let me be clear, Angel is not cleared to play basketball. She’s not close to being cleared. She wants to put on a Dream uniform and step on the court, and so, I respect that and respect her wanting that. This is certainly us being grateful for what Angel does bring to the table. This is an opportunity for her to get on the court, if that’s the route we go, but she’s not cleared to play.”

The “one more time” section of the post also sparked questions among fans in the comments, especially given conversations that took place during McCoughtry’s recovery process. Multiple fans asked what “one more time” meant and she replied, “everybody’s overthinking. The season is ending.”

“Nothing in my post said anything about retirement,” McCoughtry clarified to High Post Hoops. “I just want to play in the last game before season ends that’s it.”

McCoughtry did not respond to a question about whether the team has cleared her to play. A spokesperson for the Dream did not have a comment at the time of writing.

The Dream host the Chicago Sky on Tuesday in State Farm Arena before spending the next week on the road, traveling to New York and Dallas.

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