Angel Reese after Atlanta Dream's disappointing WNBA Finals Game 7 loss: 'We'll be back'

SAN FRANCISCO – Angel Reese is already looking toward another championship run after the Atlanta Dream fell one win short of a title Saturday night.

"It is tough in the moment, but well be back," Reese said after the Dreams 68-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center.

Reese finished with eight points on 3-for-7 shooting, 12 rebounds and four turnovers. She scored one point and did not attempt a field goal in the fourth quarter as Golden State secured its first championship.

Gabby Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half and was named Finals MVP. Reese finished a fourth consecutive game with more turnovers than made baskets.

But afterward, Reese said she remained proud of her season and grateful for the teammates who helped Atlanta get within one victory of a championship.

"Im really proud of the year that I had," Reese said. "I mean, Ive done a lot of great things this year, but I wouldnt be able to do it without this group."

"Im a young player and Im very vocal, but I think they really helped me a lot mature in different ways that I havent really been challenged," Reese said. "And they really challenged me to be better every single day."

Reese described a locker room where players supported one anothers accomplishments.

"Theres no egos in the locker room and nobodys selfish," she said. "Like, everybody just wants to see each other succeed."

That, Reese argued, was a reason to believe Atlanta could eventually finish the job.

"When you have a team like that, Ive been a part of some teams and I know what it takes to win a championship," she said. "And thats the winning mindset."

Reese won a national championship at LSU in 2023 and was named the Final Fours Most Outstanding Player. Famously, she taunted Iowa star Caitlin Clark as the clock wound down on her team's victory.

Reese combined for 51 points and 28 rebounds in , helping the team build a 2-1 series lead.

Before Game 4, she spoke about getting into Golden States head.

"Theyre playing into my mental game where I can take their confidence and just try to do whatever to mess them up," Reese said.

Atlanta lost three of the next four games. Over that stretch, Reese averaged 9.5 points while shooting 12 for 45 (26.7%) and committing 19 turnovers. She continued to rebound, averaging 12.5 per game, but her scoring dropped sharply from the two victories that put Atlanta ahead.

The Dream forced Game 7 behind Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howards combined 44 points in Thursdays 80-69 win. In the deciding game, Atlanta led by nine midway through the third quarter before Williams took over.

Reeses last field goal came with 2:12 remaining in the third. Her only point in the fourth came at the foul line with 18.6 seconds left.

Following the loss, she spoke about how much she had wanted to win for her teammates and Atlantas supporters.

"I love these girls. I love the coaches," Reese said. "I think it also sucks because our fan base back home poured into us so much this year, and we really wanted to do it for them, but were forever grateful."

She also expressed enthusiasm about another offseason working with Dream coach Karl Smesko.

"When individually you get better in the offseason, you get better collectively," Reese said, and then adde