'They Have To Continue To Feed Her' – 2-Time WNBA All-Star Urges Dream To Make Angel Reese a 'Threat' After Scoreless Second Half vs. Valkyries Tushar Bahl Sun, October 18, 2026 at 8:24 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angel Reese scored 11 points in the first quarter of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. She then went scoreless after halftime as the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-64 on Saturday.
After Game 1, ESPN analyst and two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike said Atlanta has to get the ball back to its star forward.
Reese shot 5-of-6 in the first quarter. She scored nine points during the 11-0 run that closed it, and Atlanta took a 22-14 lead into the second quarter.
Ogwumike's message was simple, "Probably my biggest takeaway from Atlanta is that they have to continue to make Angel Reese a threat."
"When everyone was missing shots left, right, and center, out emerged in the first quarter, Angel Reese. It looked like no one could guard her," the former No. 1 overall pick added.
Ogwumike tied the burst to who was guarding Reese. She said Reese went to work as soon as Kiah Stokes, Golden State's All-Defensive Team center, went to the bench.
"Thornton had opportunities on her. They just sent everybody not named Kiah, and she just had a field day. She just feasted, she went through their chest."
READ MORE: 'I Wasn't Aggressive Enough' — Angel Reese Admits Costly Shortcoming After Going Scoreless in Second Half of Dream's Game 1 Loss to Valkyries
Kayla Thornton started but played only seven minutes. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase turned to forward Laeticia Amihere when Stokes needed a breather. Amihere had barely played in the first two playoff series, and Nakase used her to match Reese's size and agility.
Reese went 0-for-5 from the field over the last three quarters. Her only other points came on free throws in the second quarter. Stokes did get a key stop on her late in the game.
The Dream star didn't give the defense the credit. After the game, she told reporters she didn't think the Valkyries really did anything and that maybe it was just on her. She said she wasn't aggressive enough getting the ball and getting to her spot, and that she would do better next game.
Ogwumike said the answer is more Reese, not less. She said, "(Atlanta) have to keep Angel Reese going, because she did not score in the second half." She described a possession in which the Dream needed a basket and went to Reese, who drove through the free-throw line with her off-hand for an easy basket.
"How do you stop going to that? They have to continue to feed her, because her aggression just puts Golden State on their heels."
READ MORE: 'Absolutely Dominating,' 'Such a Special Player' – WNBA World Hypes Up Dream Star Angel Reese's Performance in Game 1 of Finals
Reese finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four turnovers and five fouls in 35 minutes. Stokes had nine points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, which tied her playoff career high.
Game 2 is Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center, and Golden State leads the best-of-seven series 1-0. The question now is whether the Dream go back to Reese as early and as often as Ogwumike wants, and whether the Valkyries can keep her off her spots when they do.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
Source: Sports
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