Angel Reese Bounces Back From Missed Layup Against Fever in Big Way

Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese dominated the Los Angeles Sparks.

Aug 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3), Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) leave the court during a time out in the first half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"It was very tough for me. I didn't sleep." Those were the words from Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese after she missed a point blank opportunity that likely would have led to her team's victory over the Indiana Fever Sunday. Instead, Atlanta lost in overtime.

It was a rough showing for Reese all around, as she missed several layups in the high-profile contest. And of course, her finishing woes near the rim remain an area she needs to improve upon.

But Reese has bounced back from that less than stellar moment in a big way, with her game doing the responding for her.

The Dream have played two games since and Reese has been excellent. She played A'ja Wilson to a standstill in Atlanta's win over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday, scoring 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.

She then followed that up with perhaps the best performance of her WNBA career in dominating the Los Angeles Sparks Thursday.

Reese nearly recorded a triple-double against Los Angeles. She scored 20 points on a perfect 9-of-9 from the floor, and added 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. She became the first player ever to have at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 100% shooting in the process.

Reese Continues to Work on Outside Shot

Aug 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Reese's rebounding is well celebrated. But she also impacts games through her defense and she is an underrated passer. Her offensive game is what needs the most work.

But Reese is clearly committed to becoming a threat from three-point range. She is still shooting just 19.6% from deep, which is obviously not ideal. However, Reese is attempting 1.3 threes a game which is about twice as many as she had in her two years prior. She was 2-2 against the Sparks and 1-1 versus the Aces.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko clearly sees this as a long-term project, given Reese becoming a competent outside shooter could open up the Dream's offense. And Reese deserves credit for continuing to fire away as she looks to knock them down more efficiently.

She of course makes an impact in other ways as outlined above, but if Reese can become a better shooter, both up close and from the outside, her ceiling goes up even more.

In the meantime, she has done enough to bounce back from the missed opportunity against the Fever where she should have no troubles sleeping. Because things have been sweet for her and the Dream since.