Angel Reese had a playoff game to prepare for, but the Atlanta Dream decided one moment of celebration could not wait. Before their postseason opener, coach Karl Smesko gathered the team with unexpected news.
Reese had been named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in franchise history to receive the honor. Rhyne Howard was also recognized, joining Reese on the AP All-WNBA Second Team.
The Dream then posted a playful message: “Sorry, Angel, but we MUST celebrate you and Rhyne! We’re proud of y’all.” The moment quickly became a talking point as Atlanta prepared for its postseason opener.
Reese received major recognition before Game 1
Reese’s award arrived after a standout first season in Atlanta. She averaged 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals across 43 regular-season appearances for the Dream.
Her 12.1 rebounds per game led the WNBA, while her defensive activity helped anchor one of Atlanta’s strongest seasons. The award also represented another milestone for a player still establishing herself with her new franchise.
The Dream’s announcement came shortly before their playoff opener against Washington. Instead of allowing the timing to overshadow the achievement, Atlanta created a brief team celebration before shifting its attention toward the postseason.
The Dream had a reason to celebrate
Smesko announced Reese’s award during pregame practice, with teammates gathered around the two honored players. The team also recognized Howard after she earned her own All-AP Second Team selection.
That made the moment particularly meaningful for Atlanta. Reese and Howard became the first pair of Dream teammates selected to an AP All Team during the same season.
The organization’s social-media post captured the mood perfectly. The phrase “Sorry, Angel” was not an apology for anything negative; it was a playful acknowledgment that Reese and Howard deserved attention before the playoff spotlight shifted.
Why the message stood out
The Dream’s message worked because it reflected a balance between individual recognition and team priorities. Reese had a major personal achievement, but Atlanta was also preparing for its most important games of the season.
The team did not turn the celebration into a lengthy ceremony. Instead, Smesko delivered the news, teammates applauded, and the players quickly returned their attention to preparation.
That timing made the moment feel spontaneous rather than distracting. Atlanta could acknowledge Reese’s accomplishment while keeping the focus on the playoff matchup, waiting only hours later.
Reese still had business to handle
The celebration was followed by Reese’s first WNBA playoff appearance. Atlanta entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed after finishing the regular season 30-14.
The Dream faced the fifth-seeded Washington Mystics in the opening round. A victory would put Atlanta one win away from advancing to the semifinals under the WNBA’s best-of-three first-round format.
Reese’s individual award therefore arrived alongside an immediate team challenge. The Dream needed their star forward to contribute while also relying on Howard, Allisha Gray and the rest of the roster.
Reese delivered despite a difficult shooting night
Reese did not have her most efficient offensive performance in Game 1. She finished 4-of-15 from the field, but still recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds in her postseason debut.
Her rebounding remained valuable throughout the contest, and she contributed defensively as Atlanta recovered from an 11-point first-half deficit against Washington.
Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 26 points, while Allisha Gray added 22. Together, the three players helped Atlanta secure a 92-77 victory and take a 1-0 series lead.
Howard shared the spotlight with Reese
The Dream’s celebration was never exclusively about Reese. Howard received the same All-AP Second Team recognition, making the pregame moment a celebration of two of Atlanta’s most important players.
Howard then showed exactly why she was being honored. Her 26 points led all scorers in the playoff opener, helping Atlanta overcome Washington’s early advantage.
That combination gave the Dream a useful storyline as it headed deeper into the postseason. Reese provided rebounding and defensive presence, while Howard supplied the scoring punch Atlanta needed when the game tightened.
Fans noticed the celebration
The Atlanta Dream’s post featuring the “Sorry, Angel” message generated attention online as fans and sports outlets reacted to the pregame celebration.
Some social-media reactions celebrated Reese’s award and the recognition of both Dream stars. Supporters also highlighted the significance of Reese becoming the first player in franchise history to win AP Defensive Player of the Year.
The response should not be treated as unanimous, but the moment clearly connected with fans following Atlanta’s playoff opener. The celebration became another memorable moment surrounding Reese’s first postseason appearance with the Dream.
Reese made Dream history
The Defensive Player of the Year award added another milestone to an already historic season for Reese. She became the first player in WNBA history to record 500 rebounds in one season.
She also established WNBA single-season records with 521 total rebounds and 206 offensive rebounds. Reese finished third in the league in both steals per game and total steals, recording 77 steals during the regular season.
Those numbers explain why Atlanta wanted to celebrate her achievement before Game 1. Reese’s production was not limited to scoring; her rebounding and defensive impact became central parts of the Dream’s successful regular season.
Fun fact: Angel Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese, also played basketball at UMBC, while her younger brother Julian played at Maryland.
Atlanta’s postseason journey continues
With the Game 1 victory, Atlanta moved within one win of the WNBA semifinals. The Dream then beat Washington again in Game 2 to complete a 2-0 first-round sweep.
For Reese, the sequence was remarkable: an individual defensive award, All-AP recognition, and a playoff victory all arrived within the same day.
The Dream’s playful “Sorry, Angel” message ultimately captured that unusual timing. Atlanta briefly paused its postseason preparations to celebrate two major achievements before returning to the larger goal of extending its playoff run.
TL;DR
- Angel Reese was named the 2026 AP Defensive Player of the Year.
- She became the first Dream player to win the award.
- Rhyne Howard joined Reese on the AP All-WNBA Second Team.
- Atlanta celebrated both players during pregame practice.
- The Dream jokingly posted, “Sorry, Angel, but we MUST celebrate you and Rhyne!”
- Reese recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds in her playoff debut.
- Atlanta defeated Washington 92-77 in Game 1.
- The Dream later swept Washington 2-0 to reach the WNBA semifinals.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
