Every player imagines their WNBA debut to be in a certain way. But for Holly Winterburn, her welcome to the league came in one of the harshest ways possible. The young player was supposed to kick off the 2026 season alongside Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream. However, after spending an entire year fighting just to get back on the court, she saw everything change.

On May 7th, the Dream announced their team’s roster for this season, which featured “a blend of established stars, rising young talent and key offseason additions.” For Winterburn, this announcement felt like the moment where everything finally came together. But just when it looked like the British guard would finally make her long-awaited debut, she was waived.

However, instead of staying silent, she has decided to address the emotional moment head-on.

“I thought my welcome to the W moment would happen on the court, not as I’m getting on the bus for my first ever game. But that’s the reality of this business & I will always be grateful for the opportunity Atlanta gave me,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “I’m built for this. Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me & sent love. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m so excited for what’s next.”

Back in 2025, Atlanta first signed the Northampton native to a training camp contract under the rookie scale. They saw significant upside in her résumé, including her entry into the camp as a three-time WBBL Young Player of the Year, an EuroCup Women champion with the London Lions, and extensive experience representing Great Britain in FIBA competition.

At that time, Dream general manager Dan Padover sounded excited about what she could bring to the table. “Holly is a versatile guard with extensive professional and international experience. We’re excited to see her compete at this level,” he said.

But before her WNBA journey could even begin, Winterburn suffered an undisclosed injury. It forced her to miss the entire 2025 season. Still, Atlanta retained Winterburn’s draft rights, indicating that it viewed her as part of its future plans.

The waiting seemed ready to pay off this season, as Winterburn went on to record 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 22 minutes when her former team locked horns with the Washington Mystics in preseason. She looked comfortable, confident, and aggressive on both ends of the floor. However, she was waived while boarding the team bus en route to Atlanta’s first regular-season game against the Minnesota Lynx. But why?

The move appeared to be tied to Atlanta securing Aaliyah Nye, a 2025 champion with the Las Vegas Aces. “The Dream claimed guard Aaliyah Nye off waivers,” the franchise announced. “In doing so, the Atlanta Dream also waived guard Holly Winterburn.”

Still, the situation left plenty of fans feeling for Winterburn, especially considering how close she came to finally stepping onto a court after waiting through an entire season.

What’s Next for Angel Reese and the Dream After Atlanta’s Early Roster Shake-Up

Amid early roster movement, Atlanta wasted no time getting into action as their season opener delivered instant intensity. The Dream opened their 2026 campaign against the Lynx and took home the win with a narrow 91-90 victory.

While Nye didn’t play, Angel Reese stepped up, scoring 11 points. She also added 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 assists. While her shot is still finding rhythm early in her Dream tenure after being traded from the Chicago Sky last month, she made her presence felt in every other aspect of the game.

Her impact went beyond the box score as she battled through a game that came down to the final possession. The defining moment arrived in the closing seconds when she rotated perfectly to block a potential game-winning layup. The block sealed Atlanta’s comeback win and gave the Dream a 2-0 start to their season.

Even after the win, Reese admitted she wasn’t fully satisfied with her performance, calling it a “rough” outing personally but emphasizing her confidence in the system and support around her.

So now, with the season underway, all eyes turn to whether the Dream can turn this momentum into consistency as Angel Reese settles further into her role in Atlanta.