Angel Reese 'Didn't Sleep' After Missing Potential GW Shot in Dream's Loss to Caitlin Clark, Fever

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese told reporters that she "didn't sleep" after her team's tough 95-91 overtime home loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday, when the three-time All-Star missed a game-winning layup attempt with three seconds left in regulation.

Reese provided those remarks Tuesday after she and her team bounced back with a 97-82 road win over the Las Vegas Aces.

Reese was asked in the postgame press conference about stepping up defensively against WNBA MVP favorite A'ja Wilson, especially with Dream forward Brionna Jones dealing with a leg injury that sidelined her for this matchup.

She provided this response (6:25 mark), per MTMV Sports Network.

"Yeah, I knew how much my team needed me. Like I said last game, it was very tough for me. I didn't sleep, and the competitor in me wanted to win that game so bad, I replayed that play so many times, but I'm like, why would I let one moment dictate everything else that I have going on that is positive?

"So just being able to show up again for my team. It would have been negative for me not to come out tonight and just bounce back, and I knew they expected it from me, so just being able to do it obviously against [Aces star center A'ja Wilson], trying to deflect as many passes as I can, I mean she's going to get her shots up of course. But just knowing my spots and how great I am defensively to put pressure on her."

The Fever and Dream were tied at 81 as time wound down on Sunday. Dream guard Rhyne Howard launched a deep three-pointer, but the shot ended up being an airball. Reese was perfectly positioned for the rebound but missed the putback. Indiana led for the final 3:31 of overtime en route to the win, and Caitlin Clark guided the Fever with a team-high 26 points.

It was a mixed game for Reese, who had 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. However, she also went 5-of-16 from the field and committed four turnovers.

Reese responded quite well on Tuesday, though, with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. She played tough defense on Wilson, who was productive as usual (27 points, 14 rebounds) but shot 7-of-18.

Atlanta has now won nine of 12 games to move to 22-13 overall, good enough for fifth in the WNBA standings. The Dream will look to maintain that positive momentum on Thursday at the Los Angeles Sparks.