Angel Reese Talks Approach Ahead of 1st WNBA Finals, 'The Greats Are Built for This'

Forward Angel Reese is headed to her first-ever WNBA Finals after the Atlanta Dream swept the New York Liberty in the semifinal round. Their Finals matchup with the Golden State Valkyries begins on Saturday afternoon in San Francisco.

Reese appears ready for the moment, per comments made at Finals media day on Friday.

"You have to be a playoff riser," Reese said, per ESPN's Kendra Andrews. "The greats are built for this. If you want to be considered the best player and well respected, you can't shy away from the moment."

Atlanta has met the moment thus far in the playoffs, winning all five of its games after beating the Washington Mystics 2-0 in the first round and the Liberty 3-0 int the semis.

Reese has been beneficial to the Dream's success after Atlanta acquired her from the Chicago Sky last offseason, averaging 16.4 points, a WNBA-high 12.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. She's added 18.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 1.6 SPG in five playoff games.

Reese hasn't made the WNBA Finals, but she's won big games and competitions before. In 2023, Reese's LSU Lady Tigers won the NCAA championship to cap a 34-2 season. In September, Reese contributed to Team's USA undefeated campaign in the 2026 World Championships en route to a gold medal.

"Anywhere I go, I am looking to win," Reese said, per Andrews. "I have won at every level I have been at. Coming into any situation, I have a winning mentality -- no matter what it looks like or what it takes."

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will take place on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in San Francisco's Chase Center.