Angel Reese Drops Career-High 31, Clinches Dream Playoff Spot

Q: What sudden adjustment transformed Angel Reese into an unstoppable offensive force just in time for the playoffs?

The key adjustment was simple: Reese slowed down around the basket and played with more patience. After her recent surge, Reese said she had focused on “staying poised and not letting anybody speed me up.” She acknowledged that when she rushes near the rim, she is not at her best. By taking her time on finishes she works on in practice, she has turned high-volume interior touches into far more efficient scoring. Atlanta also helped unlock that version of her. Coach Karl Smesko said opponents were not consistently sending double-teams, which allowed Reese to catch the ball in the short post, use her strength, and score through post moves. The Dream also found her slipping behind ball screens for layups, while her work on the offensive glass created putback chances. In other words, her offense became more varied and more controlled at the same time. The results have been immediate. On the Dream’s West Coast trip, Reese averaged 24 points while shooting 67.4% from the field, followed a perfect 9-for-9 game with a career-high 31 points, and powered Atlanta into the playoffs. The biggest difference was not a dramatic overhaul of her game, but a timely correction in pace, decision-making, and shot selection near the rim.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 24

31 points from Angel Reese — capped by two late free throws — sealed Atlanta’s 99-89 win over Phoenix and officially sent the Dream to the playoffs.
The outburst was Reese’s first 30-point game and part of a sharp response after she missed a potential game-winner against Indiana last Sunday.
Three games into Atlanta’s West Coast trip, Reese is averaging 24 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.7 steals on 67.4% shooting, helping the Dream go 3-0 and move back into fourth place.
Efficiency remains the swing factor for Atlanta’s postseason ceiling: the Dream are 9-2 when Reese shoots at least 50%, versus 15-11 when she falls below that mark.
Phoenix’s loss also eliminated the Mercury from playoff contention, underscoring how decisive Atlanta’s surge has become heading into Reese’s first postseason.