I know how the light praise goes, but a lot of important things Angel Reese actually does TO DO appear in the score box. They certainly did that in Atlanta’s Game 2 win over New York on Wednesday, a 101-98 overtime thriller that gave the Dream a 2-0 lead in the semifinals.
This showed up in the box score:
And this too:
And this too:
But perhaps Reese’s most important contribution to last night’s victory was no pushing or shoving, just some focus. In the box score, alongside the 23 points and seven rebounds, you’ll notice she went 6 of 6 from the free throw line. After a Breanna Stewart layup cut the Dream’s lead to 86-85 with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Liberty decided to play foul. “They should foul Reese, and they do,” Ryan Ruocco said on the ESPN broadcast. “Reese is the fouling player, just a 72 percent free throw shooter.”
The pair she sank in that moment, her third and fourth free throws, might have been the ones to remember if not for Liberty rookie Marine Fauthoux’s tying trio on New York’s next possession. Instead, we’ll have to wait for free throws five and six in overtime. After Sabrina Ionescu threw a pass to absolutely no one with 6.5 seconds remaining, the Liberty had to commit another foul. Before DeWanna Bonner took the ball in, Reese ran to the other side of the court, whispered a few instructions in her teammate’s ear, then rushed to the backcourt, where she was able to receive the inside pass (legal in the final two minutes of overtime) and drain for a few more seconds before New York fouled her. She strutted up to the line and did them both – no fuss, it was over in about 20 seconds. The drama that subsequently unfolded between the Liberty coaching staff and the officiating staff was not his problem.
The first question of Holly Rowe’s post-match interview with Reese sort of evolved as she spoke: “How did you think about that moment…and the greatness that awaited you?” » – but there is a note of finality in a performance like that. So I don’t blame Rowe. What is left to ask?
During Reese’s rookie season, I initially introduced her as an acquired taste, a crazy player, someone misunderstood, and rightfully so. But my view has become a little more militant now: I think less of a person who can’t step outside of a full game and find something to appreciate in their talent. I would say they don’t really understand basketball at all.
This series between Liberty and Dream has been a real treat if, like me, you worship at the altar of the engine, the kind that Reese and Stewart embody. No one works harder than them, no one covers more ground, no one really makes you feel the force of their effort like these two players can. Right now, this effort is necessary. Allisha Gray missed the last six quarters with a shooting hand injury; Rhyne Howard shot 10 of 40 in this series; Even before the turnover, Ionescu made four free throws in a three-point game; Léonie Fiebich played gently. With my condolences to Stewart and Reese – it really sucks for them – the game is almost more fun that way. You can just watch the two of them go about their business, doing all of this, their switches always on.
Gn sports
