Yes, it was an unexpected move that sent the Atlanta Dream soaring into the spotlight ahead of the 2026 season. During the offseason, they swayed headlines with the Angel Reese signing. Now, just seven games into the season, the pairing already looks like a match made in heaven, prompting a two-time WNBA All-Star to double down on the hype.

With Reese in their frontcourt, Atlanta has showcased consistency. The team has won five of its seven games and sits comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference. And speaking on Sue Bird’s podcast, Chiney Ogwumike reflected on why the pair has fit so well in a limited time.

“The Angel factor to me was awesome, because she just fit into the identity and the mold, and the style of the Dream,” Ogwumike said. “In Chicago, because of the way their team and their injuries, she was asked to do more of the facilitation. When you’re a year three player, take some of my plate. Let me be great. She’s playing alongside a great backcourt where the game can be very simple for her, where she can just focus on eating on the boards and keep the game simple.”

In Atlanta, Reese has the perfect support of two veterans: Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Two MVP-caliber players who drop 15+ points with ease on any given day. The availability of this veteran support was something Reese didn’t have with the Chicago Sky. Of course, she had players like Courtney Vandersloot. But is she of the same mettle as Gray and Howard? Possibly not.

Furthermore, Vandersloot was injured for most of last year’s season and played just seven games. As a result, Reese had to shoulder extra responsibility during her time at the Chicago Sky.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the squad dynamics have given her the leverage to double down on what she does best: dominate on the glass. And she has done exactly that. The Chi Barbie currently leads the team in rebounds with 11.0 per game, according to the WNBA’s stats.

In fact, Atlanta is leading the league in terms of rebounds as well this season, with 37.7 rebounds per game. And a major credit for it goes to Angel Reese. This frontcourt dominance that Reese brings to the table for Atlanta is something they have been missing in the last few years. In the entire 2025 regular season, none of Atlanta’s players recorded double-digit rebound averages.

They posted a season average of 36.6, which is even lower than their average after 7 games. With Reese thriving on rebounds, it will also open a new roadmap for Atlanta to score on second chances, allowing Karl Smesko’s team to heavily emphasize offense.

Moving on, Reese’s impact extends well beyond her front-court presence. While she may not be the best shooter on the floor, she remains a reliable scorer, averaging 13.1 points per game this season.

She might not be precise on every play, but she steps up when things get tough for her team. And that’s exactly what makes her valuable in the Atlanta locker room. Team veteran Rhyne Howard explained Reese’s impact in the best possible way after Atlanta’s narrow 82-80 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

“She’s doing all the little things we’ve not done in the past,” Howard said to a reporter. “Oftentimes, we would’ve folded, but because of the tenacity that she brings, because of the energy that she brings, we have no choice but to follow her. We continue to let her know that we need her, and she is coming up and has shown it every day.”

While the numbers perfectly capture Angel Reese’s impact, a WNBA analyst has shared another interesting take on why the former has fit in so well with the Atlanta Dream.

ESPN’s Lawrencia Moten credits Karl Smesko for Angel Reese’s seamless fit with the Atlanta Dream

A player’s success in a new franchise isn’t limited to their skills. Many external factors, such as relationships with coaches and players, are equally important in this regard. Moten believes that Angel Reese’s connection with Karl Smesko is one of the main reasons for the former’s success at Atlanta.

“Specifically, when you think about Karl Smesko and Angel Reese and their connection, he was very familiar with her game,” she said via ESPN. “She played at the University of Maryland when he was at the Florida Gulf Coast University. He studied her tendencies. He knew her strengths and weaknesses before she even set foot in Atlanta.”

Reese herself has lauded Smesko for her coaching tactics. In an interview a few days ago, Reese highlighted how Smesko’s player development style appealed to her and led her to Atlanta.

“Looking at last year, the success that they had under one year with Karl,” Reese said, as per USA Today’s Meghan Hall. “I was just seeing how the player development was for him and how he developed Naz (Hillmon) in one year and how I wanted that.”

Angel Reese’s perfect fit with the Atlanta Dream is reflected in her numbers this season. The Atlanta forward has recorded four double-doubles in seven games this season. It also includes an 18-point and 12-rebound game in the latest win over the Portland Fire. Reese’s and Atlanta’s next assignment is on June 2 against the Connecticut Sun at the Gateway Center.