Angel Reese was great in the first half of Game 1 of the finals. Then, she barely even touched the ball and went scoreless in the second half. The Atlanta Dream lost 68-64, and Reese felt like she had let her team down.
Reese responded with the game of her life. She was ready to be more aggressive, demand the ball from her teammates, and will her team to a much-needed victory in Ballhalla. Reese finished the game with a historic 30 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, and proved how important it is to have that ultimate competitor, someone who just wins everywhere they go, on the team if you’re fighting for a WNBA title.
Kelsey Plum, who won two titles with the Las Vegas Aces before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks and then the Phoenix Mercury, identified Reese’s mindset as the difference-maker on Girls Tripp with Allie Clifton, Jordan Robinson, and Ryan Ruocco.
“She made the decision that she was going to win that game, and if you want to get on the ship, the ship is moving,” Plum said about Reese. “Mentally, you perform before the physical manifestation. So, I think Angel won that game before the game was even played. Now, going throughout the series, the recipe is: Angel has set the bar; who on Golden State is going to match that?”
Golden State is a team full of competitors and underdogs. They should be able to find players who can match Reese’s energy. If they can’t, it could be a short series. Atlanta now has momentum and could take a 3-1 lead by protecting home court.
It might have to be Gabby Williams
The Valkyries will play better if role players like Tiffany Hayes, Kaila Charles, or Kayla Thornton decide that they are not going to lose that game. But, ultimately, it will have to be Gabby Williams. The Valkyries have many great players, who can make tough shots and catch fire for a quarter, but Williams is the one who can truly take over a game. She has done it before, and she will need to be determined and extraordinary for the Valkyries to win a title in their second season of existence.
If Williams comes into Game 3 ready to match Reese’s energy and just refuses to accept defeat, the contests should be pretty evenly matched, and it could become a very long series.
After taking a hit and coming up limping late in Game 1, Williams might not be entirely healthy. Still, this is her chance to establish herself as one of the top players in the W, a championship star, and get some redemption for France’s finals loss at the World Cup.
Add us as a preferred source on Google