Angel Reese scores 31, grabs 14 boards and Atlanta is going back to the playoffs
Angel Reese wanted her first taste of the WNBA playoffs. She punched Atlanta's ticket with the best scoring night of her career.
Reese scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Dream held off the Phoenix Mercury 99-89 on Saturday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. The Dream secured a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season.
"Yeah, it feels good because we got the win. That's all that matters. And we clinched playoffs. It's my first time being able to have a postseason, so I'm really excited," Reese said.
Reese shot 14 of 21 from the field and added four steals. She scored 21 points in the second half, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as Atlanta recovered from a third-quarter collapse.
The Dream raced to a 14-3 lead and carried a 50-35 advantage into halftime. Phoenix responded by shooting 59.1% in the third quarter and cutting Atlanta's lead to one.
Kahleah Copper scored 17 of her game-high 38 points in the period, but Rhyne Howard's basket at the buzzer gave Atlanta a 73-68 lead heading into the fourth.
The Mercury pulled within three early in the final quarter before Reese answered with a driving layup. Atlanta then pushed the lead back to nine behind a free throw from Howard and a 3-pointer from Naz Hillmon.
"Yeah, honestly, just staying poised and not let anybody speed me up," Reese said. "I think I'm not at my best when I'm rushing around the basket, so just kind of staying confident right where I know I can be, and the things and the shots that I make around the basket that I work on in practice, just taking my time and finishing those."
Reese has now recorded at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in three consecutive games. She is the third player in WNBA history to accomplish that feat, joining A'ja Wilson and Nneka Ogwumike.
Howard finished with 20 points, five assists and two steals. Allisha Gray added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Jordin Canada recorded 12 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Dream forced 16 turnovers and scored 18 points off them. Atlanta committed only eight turnovers and finished with 12 steals.
Copper's 38 points kept Phoenix within reach, while Alyssa Thomas finished with 11 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for her 22nd regular-season triple-double. DeWanna Bonner added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko was pleased with how his team responded, but not with how it began the second half.
"It was good to see us kind of regroup and be able to finish with a win and qualify for the playoffs, but a lot to learn from the game," Smesko said.
The Dream improved to 24-13 with their third consecutive victory and fifth win in six games. Phoenix fell to 13-24 and was eliminated from playoff contention.
Atlanta finishes its four-game West Coast trip Monday against the Los Angeles Sparks.
