Angel Reese’s first season with the Atlanta Dream continues to be one for the record books.
Reese has been named the 2026 WNBA Kia Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Dream history to receive the honor.
While the trophy belongs to Reese, she was quick to share the recognition with two teammates who helped make Atlanta’s defense one of the toughest in the league.
“I have the trophy, but I definitely want Jordin and Rhyne to sign it because I think they deserve it just as much as I do,” Reese said. “I’m grateful for Atlanta, I’m grateful for my teammates and my coaches and all the supporting staff that supports us. This is just the beginning.”
Reese made an immediate impact after arriving in Atlanta, using her versatility, rebounding and defensive presence to help change the identity of the Dream on that end of the floor.
And she certainly wasn’t shy about believing this moment was coming.
Earlier in the season, Reese declared, “The Defensive Player of the Year is in Atlanta!”
Consider that statement backed up.
Reese led the WNBA with 3.39 Defensive Win Shares and finished fourth in defensive rating at 100.0. Her presence also made a noticeable difference for Atlanta, as the Dream allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions when she was on the court — the best defensive on/off differential among the team’s rotation players.
Her ability to finish defensive possessions on the glass was just as important.
Reese averaged 7.3 defensive rebounds per game, ranking fourth in the league, while Atlanta held opponents to a league-low 9.5 second-chance points per game.
Of course, rebounding became one of the biggest stories of Reese’s season.
She became the first player in WNBA history to grab 500 rebounds in a single season while setting league records for total rebounds and offensive rebounds. Reese also broke the WNBA single-game rebounding record with 26 boards.
But Atlanta’s defensive success wasn’t a one-woman show.
Reese teamed with Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada to form one of the league’s most disruptive defensive trios. Howard, Canada and Reese finished first, second and third in steals per game, respectively, creating problems for opponents throughout the season with their ability to pressure the basketball, jump passing lanes and force turnovers.
The Defensive Player of the Year trophy adds to an already loaded list of accomplishments for Reese in 2026.
Along with her rebounding records, Reese set the WNBA single-season record for double-doubles, earned Peak Performer honors as the league’s top rebounder and became the first Dream player to earn Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors three consecutive times.
She also earned her third straight WNBA All-Star selection and added a gold medal after helping Team USA win the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
One season in Atlanta, and Reese has already made franchise history.
Now, Reese and the Dream have even more basketball ahead of them.
Atlanta advanced to the WNBA Semifinals after sweeping the Washington Mystics in the opening round and will face a familiar opponent in the New York Liberty.
The Dream closed the regular season with back-to-back victories over New York at Barclays Center, including an 83-65 win in the regular-season finale that secured Atlanta the No. 4 seed.
Atlanta will have home-court advantage in the best-of-five semifinal series, hosting the first two games at State Farm Arena before the series shifts to New York.
Game 1 — Sunday, Oct. 4
New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream | State Farm Arena
Game 2 — Wednesday, Oct. 7
New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream | State Farm Arena
Game 3 — Friday, Oct. 9
Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty | Barclays Center
Game 4 — Sunday, Oct. 11*
Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty | Barclays Center
Game 5 — Wednesday, Oct. 14*
New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream | State Farm Arena
If necessary. Game times are still to be announced.
For the first time since 2018, Atlanta is back in the WNBA Semifinals with a trip to the WNBA Finals on the line.
And as the Dream’s postseason run continues, one thing is now official:
The Defensive Player of the Year is in the A!
