On October 10, 2025, the Las Vegas Aces won their third championship in four years after sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. On the same day, Angel Reese, who was with the already-eliminated 10-34 Chicago Sky, wrote, “Manifesting the finals >>>” on her X handle. Now, the Bayou Barbie is just one win away from fulfilling that manifestation as the Atlanta Dream’s key centerpiece. Reese and the Dream powered back with an 80-69 win in Game 6 after suffering a 3-2 deficit and have now forced a Game 7 at Ballhalla. Unlike Games 4 and 5, the Dream pounced on the Valkyries from the get-go, as Reese revealed the team’s mentality coming into the do-or-die matchup.

“Every time we threw the first punch, we won the game. So, just being able to set the tone early. We ain’t have everybody come out at 12:30 for no reason. We appreciate the fans’ support on a weekday. They came out and supported us every single day, every single game. So, we wanted to make sure we ended this right here,” Reese told ESPN after the game.

The first quarter felt like a no contest. The Dream didn’t provide the Valkyries any liberty of returning after scoring 32 points to 15. It was a resurgence for Reese, who scored only 15 points on 4-of-20 shooting in the previous two games. While Reese’s shooting struggles continued with 5-of-18 from the field, she still contributed a double-double of 15 points, six assists, and her signature game-high 14 rebounds. The Defensive Player of the Year is now at 78 rebounds in the WNBA Finals, surpassing former Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles’ 2017 Finals record of 75.

In addition, Reese’s latest double-double marks the fourth of the series in six games. This brings her closer to another Finals record, with Fowles once again coming into the spotlight. In the 2017 Finals against the Los Angeles Sparks, the former Lynx star recorded five double-doubles. In addition to winning her first championship, Reese can now tie Fowles and become the benchmark of this category.

But Reese knows better than most, especially after her stint with the Sky, that coming this far was not without the help of her teammates. Dream stars Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray had probably their most important games of the season. The forward recorded 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 4-of-6 from the three-point line, while Gray scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 5-of-7 from outside the arc, with six rebounds and three assists.

“Rhyne and Allisha threw the energy punch, and then they kept punching… They put the work in. And I’m just so proud of them. They lead this way. Rhyne and Allisha are both MVP-caliber, All-Star players. So, I’m just really proud of them. And we don’t win without them,” Reese said about her teammates.

Reese also talked about how she appreciated the fans’ support on a weekday. The Game 6 schedule change from the original 8:00 p.m. ET to 12:30 p.m. ET created quite the stir and backlash on social media and beyond. However, Game 6 at State Farm Arena still sold out, just like Games 3 and 4. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, 10,000 tickets sold within the first 90 minutes.

With Reese and the Dream forcing the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, the Bayou Barbie’s influence is now tangible. According to TickPick, Game 7 is the most expensive WNBA game in history at a $396 get-in price at Chase Center.

Angel Reese is a serial winner. From winning championships in high school and AAU to beating Caitlin Clark’s Iowa in the NCAA championship game and even winning the Unrivaled championship with Rose BC, the 24-year-old has won everywhere, and her resume speaks for itself. But winning the WNBA championship in her first year at a franchise now trying to win one for the fourth time in its history will speak volumes. When asked about her and the Dream’s mindset heading into enemy territory once again, Reese’s reply said it all.

“Championship mentality. We just wanted to get this one, one at a time. And being able to go out and take our chances and go on the road and win one. We needed the opportunity. And we maximised it today. I’m just really proud of this group. The job is not done. And I’m looking forward to it. One more. Job’s not done,” Reese said, channelling her inner Kobe Bryant.

Despite schedule changes and officiating controversies, the 2026 WNBA Finals have more than delivered. It’s all on the line this weekend, with Game 7 bound to bring out the best in each player. Currently, ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Golden State Valkyries a 60.1% chance of winning their first WNBA championship at home. But we have seen time and again how the Dream have performed this series with their backs against the wall.

Should Reese lead the Dream to glory, she also has the chance of becoming the third player in WNBA history to win both DPOY and Finals MVP in the same season after Tamika Catchings (2012) and A’ja Wilson (2023, 2025). Whether it is a golden finish for the Valkyries or a dream ending for Atlanta, Ballhalla awaits us all on Saturday.