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NEW YORK — The Atlanta Dream are heading to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 after completing a three-game sweep of the New York Liberty with an 85-83 victory on Friday night at Barclays Center.
Fans that we interviewed after the game say they are looking forward to supporting the Dream. “I’m so excited Ai don’t know what to tell you,” Jennifer Combs, an Atlanta native, said.
”I’m buying the jersey, the finals tickets, the whole nine,” she said. “I’m happy for the city.”
Angel Reese scored 22 points, Rhyne Howard added 21, and the fourth-seeded Dream remained undefeated in the postseason. Jordin Canada contributed 19 points and a game-high 11 assists, while DeWanna Bonner finished with 13 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Bonner sealed the win with two free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining after the Dream had turned the ball over and Breanna Stewart missed a contested layup.
Atlanta led 83-81 with 17.7 seconds left before Stewart’s miss. The Dream shot 22-of-24 from the free-throw line, including their final 20 attempts.
Series and Path to the Finals
The Dream controlled the best-of-five semifinal series from the start. They won Game 1 at home 92-82 on October 4, then survived a 101-98 overtime thriller in Game 2 on October 7, also in Atlanta, before closing it out on the road.
“This is huge for the city, huge for Angel Reese and the whole WNBA,” John Porter, a season ticket holder, told us. “Angel came here in Year One, she’s got us in the finals. You can’t write a better TV script.”
In the first round, Atlanta swept the Washington Mystics 2-0 (92-77 and 93-75) to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2018. The Dream finished the regular season 30-14 as the No. 4 seed and Eastern Conference leaders.
They enter the Finals on a 10-game winning streak spanning the end of the regular season and playoffs, and they will face the winner of the Las Vegas Aces–Golden State Valkyries series. The Finals begin October 17.
Key Performances and Challenges
Reese, acquired in an April trade from the Chicago Sky in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, has been transformative.
The league’s Defensive Player of the Year stepped up offensively throughout the playoffs, especially with leading scorer Allisha Gray sidelined by a finger injury suffered in Game 1. Gray missed Games 2 and 3 (she warmed up before Game 3 but was ruled out about an hour before tip-off) and was limited to just 11 minutes total in the series.
Howard got Atlanta going early with 11 points in the first quarter, while Reese added 10, including two threes. The game had physical moments, including technical fouls on Reese and Jonquel Jones after a chest bump. New York mounted a third-quarter surge to take a 68-66 lead after three quarters, but Atlanta responded in the fourth.
For the Liberty, Stewart and Jones each scored 26 points. Jones added 14 rebounds and three blocks. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. The 2024 champions, who had upset the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round, struggled for consistency all season and finished as the No. 8 seed. This marked their first playoff sweep since 2012.3
Looking Ahead
The Dream have never won a WNBA title and are now four victories away from their first championship. Coach Karl Smesko’s group has shown resilience without Gray and strong contributions from veterans like Bonner and Canada alongside rising stars Reese and Howard.0
With the other semifinal series still ongoing (Golden State led Las Vegas 2-0 entering Game 3), Atlanta awaits its Finals opponent while carrying momentum into the championship round.
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The Atlanta Dream announced Tuesday that beginning with the 2027 season, every home game will be played at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, ending a six-year run at the much smaller Gateway Center Arena in College Park.
The franchise framed the move as a natural expansion of game day: “2027 GAME DAYS JUST GOT A LITTLE BIGGER. We’re bringing Atlanta Dream hoops to the heart of the city at @StateFarmArena all season long! Bigger stage, brighter lights, and more room to welcome Dream fans into the action.” An accompanying graphic declared “Bigger Stage. Same Energy!” and labeled State Farm Arena “our new home.”
Dream Announce They’ll Play All Games at State Farm Arena for 2027 Season
The multi-year agreement with the arena, also home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, comes as the WNBA expands its regular-season schedule from 44 to 50 games. That gives the Dream 25 home dates in a building that seats roughly 17,000, compared with the approximately 3,500 basketball capacity at Gateway Center Arena, the league’s smallest venue.
Demand has outgrown the College Park building. Under new ownership over the past five years, season-ticket membership has grown more than 400 percent, with buyers in all 50 states. The Dream have sold out every Gateway game over the last three seasons and have already sold out State Farm Arena eight times in that span, including multiple crowds above 17,000. Those sellouts supplied the sample the franchise needed to commit to a full-time move.
“This is an exciting next chapter for the Atlanta Dream, and a direct reflection of the exciting style of play that is Dream basketball, the passion of our fans and the incredible growth of this franchise,” Morgan Shaw Parker, the team’s president and COO, said in the official announcement. “Our players and our fans have transformed Gateway Center Arena into the most exciting experience in the WNBA. State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta. We look forward to bringing the energy, traditions and spirit of Gateway with us to the heart of our city.”
Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise and chief commercial officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena, called the Dream one of the league’s elite franchises on and off the court and said the move elevates the visibility of women’s basketball in a venue that already hosts roughly 175 events and nearly two million guests a year.
The timing coincides with a breakout season on the floor. Forward Angel Reese, in her first year with Atlanta after a trade from the Chicago Sky, was named the 2026 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year—the first player in franchise history to win the award. She set league single-season records with 521 total rebounds and 206 offensive rebounds, averaged a career-high 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds, and helped the Dream finish the regular season 30-14 and first in the East. The team is currently in the semifinals.
Venue history makes the return to downtown familiar. The Dream played at State Farm Arena (then Philips Arena) from their inaugural 2008 season through 2016, spent time at Georgia Tech, returned briefly, and settled at Gateway Center Arena in 2021. The team says it intends to carry the intimacy and fan traditions of the College Park building into the larger arena’s game-day design while adding more price points and premium options.
Fans can place deposits now for first access to 2027 season tickets: $27 for a lower-bowl seat or $100 for a Dream Elite Premium Membership that includes the first three rows, club access, and hospitality. Details are at the team’s site.
For a franchise that has produced 13 All-Stars, 12 playoff appearances, and three Finals trips since 2008, the move is the clearest off-court marker yet of how far the product and the audience have grown.
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Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese was named the 2026 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, becoming the first player in franchise history to win the league’s top individual defensive award.
Reese took 46 of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams finished second with 20 votes.
Angel Reese named 2026 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
Three-time winner A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces placed third with four, followed by Washington’s Shakira Austin (two) and one vote each for Golden State’s Veronica Burton and Dream teammate Rhyne Howard.
The honor arrived in her first season in Atlanta and her third in the league, one day after the Dream completed a first-round sweep of the Washington Mystics—their first playoff series win in eight years. Atlanta finished 30-14, tied the franchise record for wins, claimed the best record in the Eastern Conference, and earned the No. 4 seed. The Dream host the New York Liberty in the semifinals on Sunday.
Reese had telegraphed the award months earlier. “I told my coaches earlier in the season I am going to be the Defensive Player of the Year,” she told ESPN. “I don’t know if it’s going to be this year, I don’t know if it’s going to be next year, but I’m challenging myself, and I want you guys to challenge me every day to be that. And here it is.” In the team’s announcement she shared the credit: “I have the trophy, but I definitely want Jordin and Rhyne to sign it because I think they deserve it just as much as I do. I’m grateful for Atlanta, I’m grateful for my teammates and my coaches and all the supporting staff that supports us. This is just the beginning.”
The numbers backed the claim. Reese led the WNBA in defensive win shares (3.39) and ranked fourth in defensive rating (100.0). Atlanta allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions with her on the floor than off it, the largest defensive on/off differential among Dream rotation players. The Dream ranked third in the league in defensive rating (103.5) and held opponents to a league-low 9.5 second-chance points per game.
She ranked third in steals per game (1.8) and total steals (77), both career highs, trailing only teammates Rhyne Howard (2.3) and Jordin Canada (1.9). She also finished third in defensive rebounds (315) and fourth in defensive rebounds per game (7.3). Dream coach Karl Smesko said Reese “can guard any position” and “relishes these opportunities.”
The defensive case was inseparable from a historic rebounding year. Reese became the first player in WNBA history to reach 500 rebounds in a season, finishing with single-season records of 521 total rebounds and 206 offensive rebounds. She also set the single-game record with 26 rebounds in a road win over the Los Angeles Sparks on August 24 and the single-season double-double record with 32. She led the league at 12.1 rebounds per game, averaged a career-high 16.4 points, and was one of only two players to average a double-double. She earned Peak Performer honors as the league’s leading rebounder, made her third consecutive All-Star team, and closed the regular season with three straight Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards—the first Dream player to do so.
It is also the first Defensive Player of the Year award for an Eastern Conference player since Sylvia Fowles with Chicago in 2013. Reese, 24, had never previously been named to an All-Defensive team or received a DPOY vote. The award carries a $30,000 prize and a commemorative trophy.
For Atlanta, the selection closes a first year that already rewrote franchise and league records. For Reese, it is the defensive recognition that her rebounding dominance had not yet produced—and, in her words, only the beginning.
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The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of their best-of-three first-round WNBA playoff series on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The series uses a 1-1-1 format. Atlanta won the first game 92-77.
In this article, we’ll show you how to watch the Atlanta Dream game.
How to Watch Atlanta Dream Vs. Washington Mystics
To watch the Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever game, here are common viewing options:
Game 1: Sunday, September 27
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- TV/Streaming: Exclusive on Prime Video
- Tickets: Available at atlantadream.com/tickets
- Prime Video is the national exclusive for Game 1. League Pass does not carry it live.• TV: ESPN2 or Streaming: ESPN app or FuboTV: Offers streams of WNBA games on ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. Free trials are available, but regional restrictions may apply.
- • Radio: Local coverage on Atlanta sports radio (check 92.9 The Game for availability)
- • Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster, starting at $84; front-row seats $297.
Game 2: Wednesday, September 30
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.
- TV/Streaming: ESPN (also available on fubo, DirecTV, and the ESPN app)
- Tickets: Check mystics.wnba.com or secondary markets
Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, October 2
- Time: TBD
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- Broadcast: TBD
The winner advances to the WNBA semifinals.
Series Recap: A Tale of Two Teams
The series turns on who wins the glass, who can create in the half court, and whether either side’s day-to-day availability changes the picture. Atlanta is the higher seed and more complete two-way team; Washington is younger, more physical inside, and already beat the Dream twice after the first meeting.
sportingnews.comAvailability matters heading into Game 1. Reports list Angel Reese as day-to-day with a face injury and Shakira Austin as day-to-day, with Sonia Citron listed out for personal reasons and Brionna Jones already done for the season. Confirm status before tip — those names are the series.
foxsports.comAngel Reese vs. Kiki Iriafen and Shakira AustinThis is the decisive frontcourt battle.Reese averaged 16.4 points and a league-elite 12.1 rebounds, including 4.8 offensive boards. She is a DPOY-level pest who manufactures extra possessions. When Atlanta blew Washington out 109-77 on June 6, Reese had 18 points and 17 rebounds.
espn.comWashington answers with two bigs who can score and rebound:
- Iriafen: 15.3 points, 9.5–9.6 rebounds, 51% shooting. Physical, efficient, and a high-volume offensive rebounder.
- Austin: 17.0–17.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, plus rim protection. She was a difference-maker in Washington’s 81-76 win on July 2 (21 points, 9 boards).
Final Word
To recap, there are several streaming options for WNBA games, including FuboTV, which streams WNBA games on ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. There is also a free trial, but regional restrictions may apply for local games.
There’s also WNBA League Pass, which allows you to watch live out-of-market games and replays. Blackout restrictions may apply for local markets. Available via wnba.com or the WNBA app. Pricing details are on the WNBA website.
More from AtlantaFi.com:
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Angel Reese reset the WNBA’s single-season rebounding standard on August 24, 2026, when she hauled in 26 boards in the Atlanta Dream’s 78-71 win over the Los Angeles Sparks. The performance also smashed the single-game record that had stood for 23 years.
Reese finished the night with 11 points, three assists and three steals. She grabbed 18 defensive rebounds and eight offensive rebounds—more than the entire Sparks team collected on the defensive glass in some stretches. The 26-rebound outburst pushed her season total to 458 through 37 games, seven more than A’ja Wilson’s 451 from the 2024 Las Vegas Aces campaign.
Angel Reese rebounding record: What To Know
The previous single-game mark belonged to Hall of Famer Chamique Holdsclaw, who pulled down 24 rebounds for the Washington Mystics on May 23, 2003. Tina Charles had twice reached 23. Reese already owned five 20-rebound games this season and now sits tied for second all-time in such performances.
Dream coach Karl Smesko noted the consistency of her recent surge: “She’s obviously been exceptional as of late. She’s had steady improvement throughout the season. You could see her every month get a little more comfortable, and I think right now she’s really hitting her stride.” Teammate Allisha Gray, who scored 20 points, added simply, “That’s a talent. I’m just in awe watching her rebound.”
This is not a one-year phenomenon. Reese led the WNBA in rebounding as a Chicago Sky rookie in 2024 with a league-record 13.12 rebounds per game (446 total) and again in 2025 at 12.57. Her 2026 average of roughly 12.4–12.5 sits third all-time—behind only her own first two seasons. No other player in WNBA history has averaged 12 rebounds per game in a season.
The 2026 campaign came after a mid-offseason trade from Chicago to Atlanta. Reese has flourished in a more competitive environment, helping the Dream stay in the playoff hunt while posting career-best scoring (16.1 points per game) alongside her usual dominance on the glass. She has already recorded a league-high number of double-doubles this year and later broke the single-season double-double record as well.35
Reese’s motor, timing, and willingness to crash the offensive glass have made her the clearest successor to the league’s historic rebounders—Sylvia Fowles, Tina Charles, Yolanda Griffith, and Wilson. At 24 and in her third season, she already owns the three highest single-season rebounding averages ever recorded and now the total-rebounds mark as well.
The record is likely to grow. With games remaining after the Sparks win, Reese continued adding to the total. Basketball-Reference lists her 2026 total at 474 through 38 games. The “Mebounds” era is no longer a nickname. It is the statistical standard of the WNBA.
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ATLANTA (May 15, 2026) — The Atlanta Dream have officially sold out their highly anticipated home opener against the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, May 17, at State Farm Arena.
This marks the team’s 45th consecutive sellout when including previous games hosted at the venue over the last three seasons, and pushes their overall streak of home sellouts to a remarkable 50.
Atlanta Dream Extends Historic Sellout Streak to 50
The announcement underscores the surging popularity of the Dream and the broader momentum in women’s basketball. With State Farm Arena’s basketball capacity exceeding 17,600, the sellout represents a major showcase event for the franchise, which typically plays at the smaller Gateway Center Arena in College Park.
Unprecedented Demand in 2026
The Dream 2026 schedule has sold out all of their first six home games this season, including the May 17 matchup and the next five at their primary home. This extends the historic streak to 50 consecutive sellouts overall. Full- and half-season ticket memberships sold out rapidly for the third straight year, reflecting strong fan loyalty.
“This reflects everything we’ve been building, from the energy inside our arenas to the connection this team has with the city,” said Morgan Shaw Parker, Dream president and COO. “Fifty consecutive sellouts is not just a milestone, it’s a signal that women’s sports are here to stay. Atlanta is showing up in a powerful way for us, and we’re proud to keep delivering an experience that meets that passion.”
Fans still seeking tickets for May 17 or other games are encouraged to check verified resale options through Ticketmaster Resale.
On the Court: A Promising Start
The Dream enter Sunday’s game with a strong 2-0 record. They opened the season with a road win over the Minnesota Lynx (91-90) and followed with a victory against the Dallas Wings (77-72). Key contributors include Allisha Gray, Angel Reese (a notable newcomer bolstering the frontcourt), Jordin Canada, and Rhyne Howard.
The game tips off at 1:30 p.m. ET and features a tough test against the Las Vegas Aces, led by stars like A’ja Wilson. Atlanta will look to snap a five-game losing streak against the defending champions.
Building a Legacy
The Atlanta Dream, established in 2008 as the Southeast’s only WNBA franchise, have a rich history with 12 All-Stars, 11 playoff appearances, and three WNBA Finals berths. Playing five home games at State Farm Arena in 2026—the most at an alternate venue this season—highlights their commitment to growing the game on larger stages. Games are broadcast locally on Atlanta News First and streamed on Victory+.
This sellout streak arrives amid booming interest in the WNBA, with the Dream at the forefront in Atlanta. As the team continues its strong start under head coach Karl Smesko, fans can expect an electric atmosphere on Sunday and throughout the season.
For more information and the full schedule, visit the official Atlanta Dream website.
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ATLANTA, Ga. – May 8, 2026 – The Atlanta Dream officially unveiled their 12-player roster for the 2026 WNBA season on Thursday, setting the stage for what promises to be another competitive campaign following a franchise-record 30-win season in 2025.
The roster, headlined by a rock-solid core of returning stars and bolstered by high-impact offseason acquisitions, reflects the organization’s commitment to building a championship contender under second-year head coach Karl Smesko.
Atlanta Dream Announce 2026 WNBA Roster: Core Veterans Anchor Championship Push with Star Additions
The move comes just days before the Dream open their regular season on the road against the Minnesota Lynx on May 9.
Check out the Atlanta Dream’s 2026 schedule.
A Proven Core Returns
At the heart of the roster are five key holdovers who powered Atlanta’s breakout 2025 campaign:
- Allisha Gray
- Brionna Jones
- Jordin Canada
- Naz Hillmon
- Rhyne Howard
Collectively, this group helped the Dream post a .682 winning percentage and establish themselves as one of the league’s most efficient and dynamic teams. Their return provides continuity and veteran leadership as Atlanta looks to take the next step in pursuit of its first WNBA title.
Star Power and Fresh Talent Join the Fold
The Dream made a major splash in the offseason by acquiring two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese, whose elite rebounding, physicality, and championship pedigree immediately elevate the frontcourt. Reese joins a frontcourt that already features Jones, Hillmon, and the versatile Sika Koné.
Also making their mark on the opening-night roster are:
- Te-Hina Paopao, the dynamic guard coming off an impressive rookie season and continuing to develop within Smesko’s up-tempo system.
- Isobel Borlase, the WNBL MVP from Australia, who brings international scoring punch and versatility to the backcourt.
- 2026 draftees Madina Okot (6-6 center) and Indya Nivar (guard), both of whom impressed during training camp with their size, athleticism, and defensive intensity.
Rounding out the group is rookie guard Holly Winterburn, who earned her spot on the roster with strong play in camp.
Full 2026 Atlanta Dream Roster
# Player Position Height Experience College / Country 15 Allisha Gray G 6-0 9 South Carolina 5 Angel Reese F 6-4 2 LSU 42 Brionna Jones F 6-3 9 Maryland 7 Holly Winterburn G 5-11 Rookie England 21 Indya Nivar G 5-10 Rookie North Carolina 20 Isobel Borlase G 5-11 Rookie Australia 3 Jordin Canada G 5-6 8 UCLA 11 Madina Okot C 6-6 Rookie South Carolina 00 Naz Hillmon F 6-2 4 Michigan 10 Rhyne Howard G 6-2 4 Kentucky 23 Sika Koné F 6-3 3 Spain / Mali 2 Te-Hina Paopao G 5-9 1 South Carolina Early Buzz and Sharp Predictions
The roster announcement generated immediate buzz across Atlanta sports circles. Local outlet ATL Sports Zone accurately forecasted several of the final cuts and additions, including the inclusion of Holly Winterburn over fellow training-camp standout Taylor Thierry — a call the site made earlier this week as the final roster spots came down to the wire.
With training camp now complete, the Dream enter the 2026 season with a deep, balanced roster featuring 12 All-Star selections across the group and a clear identity on both ends of the floor.
2026 Season Outlook
Atlanta will open its home schedule on May 17 against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at State Farm Arena. After a historic 2025 that saw the franchise take major strides, expectations are higher than ever in 2026.
The blend of veteran continuity, star talent in Reese, international flair in Borlase, and promising young pieces has Atlanta fans optimistic that this could be the year the Dream finally break through.
Stay locked in with ATL Sports Zone for full season coverage, in-depth analysis, and more as the 2026 WNBA season tips off.
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Professional athlete Angel Reese, the dynamic forward now with the Atlanta Dream, is making some serious money these days — but that’s not how it was just a year ago.
How Much Money Does Angel Reese Make?
Reese is set to earn a base salary of $350,692 in the 2026 WNBA season.
This represents a massive leap from her previous earnings under the old collective bargaining agreement. In 2025, she made approximately $74,909–$81,000.
Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Dream just picked up the option on her rookie deal.
The new CBA, which dramatically increased the salary cap to $7 million per team, adjusted rookie-scale contracts and delivered more than a 400% raise for many young stars like Reese.
Contract Breakdown
Reese was selected No. 7 overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft and signed a four-year rookie-scale deal originally worth about $324,383. Thanks to the new CBA adjustments:
- 2026 (Year 3): $350,692 (base salary and cap hit)
- 2027 (Year 4, team option): $396,282 (already exercised by Atlanta)
If she earns All-WNBA honors in 2026, she could become eligible for a maximum contract worth up to around $1.4 million annually starting in 2028.
Read up on Angel Reese’s meteoric rise to fame.
Her current deal provides excellent value for the Dream, representing just a small fraction of the expanded salary cap while locking in a proven double-double machine through at least 2027.
Endorsements: Where the Real Money Is
While her WNBA salary has grown significantly, Reese’s true earning power comes off the court. In 2025, Forbes estimated her total earnings at $9.4 million, with roughly $9 million coming from endorsements, appearances, licensing, and other ventures — dwarfing her on-court pay.
She has built one of the most lucrative personal brands in women’s basketball, partnering with major companies including:
- Reebok (including her own signature shoe line)
- McDonald’s (her own branded meal)
- PlayStation
- Beats by Dre
- Amazon
- Cash App
- Hershey’s (Reese’s Pieces)
- Calvin Klein
- And dozens more across fashion, tech, food, and lifestyle categories
Her marketability — fueled by her personality, style, and on-court dominance — has made her a crossover star.
Estimates of her annual endorsement income have consistently hovered in the high seven figures, and with her profile continuing to rise after the move to Atlanta, those numbers are expected to grow even further in 2026 and beyond.
Overall Financial Picture
Reese’s combination of a solid (and rising) WNBA salary with the Atlanta Dream plus elite endorsement deals has pushed her net worth estimates into the millions.
She’s frequently ranked among the highest-paid female athletes globally, proving that star power in the WNBA now translates into serious financial opportunities both on and off the court.
As the league’s popularity surges, players like Angel Reese are at the forefront of a new era where basketball excellence and brand building go hand in hand. For fans and aspiring athletes alike, her trajectory shows just how far the WNBA — and its stars — have come.
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The Atlanta Dream announced on Monday they’re exercising Reese’s $396,282 fourth-year rookie option, securing her through 2027 after acquiring her from the Chicago Sky on April 6 in exchange for their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks.
Reese, the No. 7 pick from LSU in 2024, averaged strong double-doubles in Chicago despite team struggles and her wrist injury, but now joins a playoff-tested Atlanta squad with Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Naz Hillmon in a fast-paced system.
Teammates like Gray are already praising her training camp energy, and Reese vows more aggression as the team eyes a deeper playoff run, starting with a preseason homecoming against her old team Wednesday.
A Bold Bet on a Double-Double Machine
Atlanta’s front office is making it clear: they’re all-in on building around one of the WNBA’s most dynamic young forwards. By picking up the team option on Reese’s rookie-scale deal, the Dream ensure continuity through at least the 2027 season.
The move comes just weeks after the blockbuster trade that sent two future first-rounders to Chicago, signaling long-term commitment to the 23-year-old two-time All-Star and rebounding standout.
Angel Reese Salary: How Much Will She Make in 2026 From WNBA?
Angel Reese will earn a base salary of $350,692 in 2026 from her WNBA contract.
Read up on how much Angel Reese makes.
This is her third year on the four-year rookie-scale deal she originally signed with the Chicago Sky after being drafted No. 7 overall in 2024.
Under the original terms, her 2026 salary would have been around $75,000–$81,000, but the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (ratified in early 2026) includes significant raises and adjusts existing rookie contracts to the updated scale.
In her first two professional seasons with the Sky, Reese established herself as a force on the boards, becoming the only player in league history to average at least 12 rebounds per game in multiple seasons.
Her ability to dominate the paint, combined with improving scoring and playmaking, made her a natural fit for Atlanta’s up-tempo, position-less style under head coach Karl Smesko.
Seamless Fit in a Rising Contender
The Dream already boast a formidable core. Rhyne Howard provides elite scoring and versatility, Allisha Gray brings championship pedigree and perimeter defense, and Naz Hillmon anchors the interior with efficiency and toughness.
Adding Reese creates a frontcourt and transition attack that could overwhelm opponents.
Teammates have taken notice during early practices. Gray, in particular, highlighted Reese’s infectious energy and work ethic. “She’s bringing it every day,” Gray said. “The intensity she plays with is going to elevate everyone.”
Reese herself expressed excitement about the fresh start. “This is a new chapter,” she noted. “I’m ready to be more aggressive, play with even more force, and help this team make a serious playoff push. Atlanta feels like home already.”
Preseason Homecoming Sets the Tone
The narrative gets even better for fans: Atlanta’s preseason schedule includes a matchup against the Chicago Sky, giving Reese an immediate chance to face her former team on her new home floor. It’s a storyline tailor-made for highlight reels and emotional moments.
With the WNBA’s new CBA elevating salaries league-wide, locking in Reese at the fourth-year number represents excellent value, especially with her trajectory pointing toward max-contract territory in the near future.
If she earns All-WNBA honors this season, future earnings could skyrocket—but for now, Atlanta has secured one of the league’s brightest stars at a team-friendly rate.3
The Dream’s aggressive offseason moves—securing core pieces and swinging the biggest trade of the spring—position them as legitimate contenders in the stacked Eastern Conference.
For Angel Reese, it’s the opportunity to chase a title alongside proven winners in a system that should maximize her strengths.
Expect the “Chi-Barbie” to turn into “ATL’s Angel” very quickly. The WNBA season just got a whole lot more exciting.
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In a highly anticipated event, the Atlanta Dream formally introduced two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese alongside key returning players and free-agent signees.
Atlanta Dream Introduce Angel Reese, Ushering in a New Era of Ambition
The press conference on Friday, April 17 at the team’s headquarters marked a celebratory milestone following one of the biggest trades of the 2026 WNBA offseason.
The Blockbuster Trade That Brought ‘Bayou Barbie’ to Atlanta
On April 6, 2026, the Dream acquired Reese from the Chicago Sky in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, plus a second-round pick swap in 2028.
The move signaled Atlanta’s aggressive push to build a championship contender after a strong 2025 season under first-year head coach Karl Smesko.
Reese, the 2024 WNBA Draft’s No. 7 overall pick out of LSU, has quickly established herself as one of the league’s most dominant and marketable players.
Standing at 6’3”, she is a rebounding machine with 49 career double-doubles, averaging around 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in her first two seasons.
A national champion and perennial highlight-reel star, Reese brings not only elite interior play and defensive energy but also massive off-court appeal.
At the introduction, Reese expressed gratitude for her time in Chicago while embracing her new chapter.
“It’s literally a dream come true,” she said. Surrounded by new teammates, she became emotional discussing the “sisterhood” she felt immediately upon joining. “This feels like a breath of fresh air,” Reese added, fighting back tears.
A Star-Studded Supporting Cast
Reese joins an already talented core that includes:
- Allisha Gray
- Brionna Jones
- Jordin Canada
- Naz Hillmon
- Rhyne Howard
The group posed together holding new jerseys, signaling unity and high expectations for the 2026 season, which tips off May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces at State Farm Arena.
Team president and COO Morgan Shaw Parker noted the immediate business impact: In the first four hours after the announcement, the Dream sold half as many jerseys as they did in the entire 2025 season. Demand for tickets and merchandise has surged.
What Reese Brings to Atlanta
Reese’s addition pairs her rebounding prowess and physicality with Atlanta’s perimeter talent and playmaking.
Many analysts see it as a perfect fit for a team looking to make a deeper playoff run. Reese herself promised fans she’s “here to stay,” signaling commitment to the city’s vibrant basketball culture.
Her arrival also amplifies the Dream’s visibility. As one of the WNBA’s most followed personalities, Reese is expected to draw new fans to Atlanta while elevating the team’s national profile.
The Dream’s front office, led by GM Dan Padover, described Reese as “a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building.”
With a mix of veteran experience, youth, and superstar power, expectations in Atlanta have never been higher.
As the 2026 WNBA season approaches, one thing is clear: The Atlanta Dream are no longer just competing — they’re positioning themselves as contenders, with Angel Reese as the new face of the franchise.
ATL Barbie has officially arrived, and the city is ready to rally behind her.
