Angel Reese made an immediate impact in her debut with the Atlanta Dream, recording a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds to help Atlanta complete a dramatic 91-90 comeback victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night at Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Dream appeared headed for a difficult start to the season after falling behind by as many as 19 points in the first half. Minnesota controlled the pace early and built a commanding 52-33 advantage with just over a minute remaining before halftime. However, Atlanta showed resilience late in the second quarter when Naz Hillmon knocked down a three-pointer and Reese added a free throw to trim the deficit before the break.
That momentum carried into the third quarter as Atlanta erupted with a dominant stretch that completely changed the game. The Dream opened the second half by outscoring the Lynx 20-6, fueled largely by the hot shooting of Allisha Gray. Gray scored 12 points during that run and repeatedly attacked the basket, helping Atlanta cut the deficit to just one point at 58-57 midway through the period.
Although Minnesota steadied itself and rebuilt an eight-point lead entering the fourth quarter, the Dream continued to fight back. The Lynx extended their lead to 73-63 early in the final period after free throws from Diamond Miller, but Atlanta slowly chipped away. Hillmon and Rhyne Howard each provided timely baskets, while Gray continued to deliver in clutch moments.
Hillmon finally tied the game at 85-85 with less than three minutes remaining after drilling a critical three-pointer. Atlanta then relied on its defense and composure in the closing moments to secure the victory.
Gray finished with a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds for the Dream. Despite shooting 7-of-18 from the field, she consistently got to the free-throw line and converted 9-of-11 attempts. Hillmon and Howard each added 15 points, while Reese contributed on both ends of the floor throughout the night.
The biggest defensive play came in the closing seconds. With Minnesota looking for a potential game-winning basket, Reese rejected Emese Hof’s layup attempt as time expired, sealing the one-point win. The block was Reese’s third of the game and capped an impressive all-around performance in her first appearance for Atlanta.
Reese was acquired by the Dream from the Chicago Sky on April 6 in exchange for future first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028. Her debut further highlighted why Atlanta made the move. The former standout continued her remarkable consistency by recording the 50th double-double of her WNBA career in just 65 games, the fastest player in league history to reach that milestone.
For Atlanta, the season-opening comeback victory could serve as an early statement that the Dream are capable of competing with the league’s top teams while Reese quickly establishes herself as a centerpiece of the franchise.