Angel Reese is facing a storm of criticism after two lackluster preseason performances, and the pressure is mounting as the Atlanta Dream prepare to tip off the WNBA regular season this Saturday night. Fans are holding their breath, hoping the star forward can shake off the rust and rediscover the dominant form that made her one of the league's most exciting players.
The Dream made a major splash back in April, trading two first-round picks to the Chicago Sky to acquire Reese—the WNBA's reigning rebounding queen. It was a blockbuster move that signaled Atlanta's championship ambitions.
Through her first two seasons, Reese has been nothing short of a force of nature on the boards. She averaged 12.6 rebounds per game last season and remains the only player in WNBA history to average at least 12.0 rebounds per game in multiple seasons, achieving the feat in both 2024 and 2025. But her game isn't just about cleaning the glass. She's also a consistent scorer, averaging 14.1 points per game over her career, and she led the league in double-doubles last season with 23.
When the Dream made the trade, general manager Dan Padover couldn't contain his excitement. "Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta," he said in a statement. "She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans."
But the preseason has told a different story. In her debut against her former team, the Chicago Sky, Reese managed just 8 points and 7 rebounds in a win—but the numbers don't tell the whole story. She shot a concerning 2-for-7 from the field and a shaky 4-for-8 from the free-throw line, raising red flags about her shooting form and offensive efficiency.
With the regular season just days away, all eyes will be on Reese to see if she can silence the critics and prove that her early struggles are just a preseason hiccup. For Dream fans, the hope is that the real Angel Reese shows up when it matters most.