Angel Reese delivered a performance for the ages in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, but the night's most memorable moment came after the final buzzer. The Atlanta Dream star forward put on a clinic, recording 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead her team to a commanding 97-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries, giving the Dream a 2-1 series lead.
Reese's third consecutive double-double in the Finals has been a cornerstone of Atlanta's success. Her relentless energy and determination were on full display, and she made it clear afterward that her confidence is contagious.
“Y’all not taking this from us, and that’s in my heart,” Reese said postgame. “Like, I’m not letting you take this from us. I think [that confidence] becomes contagious within the team. They feel that confidence too.”
But the most touching scene unfolded after the game when Reese spotted her former college coach, Kim Mulkey, in the crowd at State Farm Arena. The LSU head coach, who guided Reese to a national championship in 2023, made the trip to support her former star. The two shared a warm embrace, a moment that spoke volumes about their enduring bond.
Even though Mulkey no longer coaches Reese, her influence remains. After the hug, Mulkey offered words of encouragement that Reese kept private but clearly cherished.
“Her words, I can’t share. But she just kept telling me to go get it,” Reese told reporters.
This reunion comes amid a Finals series that has been anything but ordinary. The crowd at State Farm Arena has been vocal in defending Reese against her critics, and the atmosphere has been electric. The Dream's dominance in Game 3, fueled by Reese's intensity, has put them on the cusp of a championship.
Reese's journey from college star to WNBA Finals standout has been well-documented, and her former coach's presence is a testament to the lasting relationships built along the way. As the series shifts to Game 4 on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, the Dream are aiming for a 3-1 series lead, but Reese knows she has a champion in her corner, both on and off the court.
For more on the Finals' dramatic moments, check out the crowd's reaction to Reese's haters and the heated exchange between Reese and a referee that added to the series' intensity.
