Frustration crept into Angel Reese’s big night as the Atlanta Dream faced the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the Finals series. After the Dream dropped Game 1, Reese responded with an impressive showing, finishing with a game-high 30 points and 16 rebounds. However, even as she led both teams in both categories, one moment caught attention as the Dream forward was seen gesturing at her teammates after they passed up a chance to get her the ball.
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With the score tied 40-40 and 7:08 left in the third quarter, Angel Reese was being guarded by Kayla Thornton inside the Valkyries’ paint as Reese gestured for the ball. The ball reached Naz Hillmon just outside the three-point line, and Reese was frantically waving her hand for a pass. But Hillmon passed to their regular-season scoring leader, Allisha Gray, who took a few seconds before shooting a three and missing. But what caught everyone’s eye was Angel Reese’s reaction.
After Hillmon passed to Gray, who assumed shooting form, Reese stomped both feet and threw her hands down, her frustration with her teammates clearly visible on her face. The young forward then turned her back to Kiah Stokes and Thornton, walking away from the active play as she headed towards the sidelines, giving up on scoring. She was seen looking back as Gray shot, then kept walking after the ball missed, per a video posted on X by OutKick.
However, Reese responded with intensity on her very next possession, driving to the basket for a layup before making her frustration over not receiving the ball clear to her teammates. With 4:53 left in the third quarter and the score tied at 42, Reese drove toward the basket after receiving a pass from Allisha Gray.
Kaitlyn Chen and Kiah Stokes both stepped up to guard her, but Reese powered through the defense to sink a left-side layup. She was fired up as she made her way toward the Dream bench, where her teammates’ reaction only added to the energy.
Reese then returned to the court, where the broadcasters caught her expressing frustration over not getting the ball on the previous play.
“Give me the f****** ball!” she could be heard saying.
Passing the ball to Reese certainly worked in the Dream’s favor that night.
The Bayou Barbie put together her best postseason performance yet. She shot an impressive 62.5% from the field and made her only three-point attempt. It was a big step up from Game 1, when Reese finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the Dream’s 68-64 loss to the Valkyries.
This time, Reese made sure the result was different. Allisha Gray chipped in with 18 points, while Jordin Canada added 13 as the Dream rallied behind Reese’s standout performance. Atlanta came away with a convincing 79-65 win, tying the series at 1-1.
With the score now 1-1, Reese and the Dream will return home for the next two games at State Farm Arena, where they will look to take control of the Finals. Both teams are chasing their first championship, and Atlanta will hope to use its home-court advantage to put the Valkyries under pressure heading into the next game.