Angel Reese’s New WNBA Team Faces 1st Setback Of 2026 Season

USA Basketball

Jones’ injury will force Atlanta’s head coach, Karl Smesko, to adjust the team’s frontcourt, which will now likely feature Reese and Naz Hillmon.

Reese was traded to the team from the Chicago Sky on April 6, and according to The Blast, it was a mutual decision.

“I enjoyed being able to grow within my first two years, but I wanted more. I love to win, I love to compete and I wanted to be surrounded by people that can make me better,” Reese said.

Reese, who averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game during her second year in the league, got candid about her game while speaking with reporters ahead of training camp.

“I am not satisfied with what I am as a player,” she said, revealing that she’ll learn from the vets on the Dream’s team. “I can help them in different ways to help them win, and that’s all I ever wanted. I don’t care about anything else that comes with it. I want to win and being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players.”

Angel Reese Gets Emotional While Speaking About Sisterhood With New Teammates

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Reese is also joining forces with All-Stars Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard—something the LSU alum called a “breath of fresh air.”

“Being able to talk to players that genuinely know what I am and who I am as a person, but also as a player, is like a breath of fresh air,” she said before getting emotional about her new teammates.

“It lowkey makes me emotional because I haven’t had this, and I’m really grateful and I’m really looking forward to the start,” she said.

Reese Calls New Team A’ Dream Come True’

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Reese also got real about what it’s been like to be part of a new team ahead of her third year in the WNBA. “It’s literally a dream come true,” she shared. “I’m really grateful to be part of an organization that, one, really cares about their players as you can tell.”

“I’m just really grateful for everything,” she added. “I’m soaking it all up. I know the people will come out and support us. The culture here is phenomenal.”

Indeed, Reese’s trade to Atlanta sent shockwaves through social media, as celebrities from rappers to actors commented on the news, according to The Blast.

Dream Head Coach Eager About What The Season Could Look Like With Reese

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The Dream’s first preseason game is against the Chicago Sky on April 29, and it’ll be interesting to see Reese plugged into a new system.

The Dream’s general manager, Dan Padover, opened up about the team’s newest member, admitting he was “thrilled” for the year ahead.

Smesko, meanwhile, praised Reese’s ability on the hardwood before sharing how he believes she’ll thrive amongst the other players.

“We create a lot of space and a lot of movement, so there’s going to be a lot of opportunities to either score off cuts or invert some pick and roll,” he said.

“I want to hear what she thinks her strengths are and what she really wants to get better at and I want to be a coach that helps players achieve to their highest level and what they wanted to become,” he finished.

The Angel Reese’s New WNBA Team Faces 1st Setback Of 2026 Season first appeared on The Blast