Angel Reese says she is hungry for more after Dream loss

ATLANTA, Ga. - Angel Reese posted her first public message since the Atlanta Dream lost the WNBA championship on Sunday. The 24-year-old forward used social media to acknowledge the pain of the defeat while expressing confidence in her future. She declared that her path to a title is "delayed, not denied."

Reese reflected on her third season in the league. She stated that she remains numb from how the series ended but felt proud of her performance. She noted that few players reach the Finals in their third year. She added that she is hungry for more and views the loss as a lesson rather than a final verdict.

The Dream fell to the Minnesota Valkyries, 68-63, in Game 7. This marked the first time in WNBA history that a championship series went the full distance. Reese finished the game with eight points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks. She shot 3-for-7 from the field and 1-for-3 from the free-throw line.

During the regular season, Reese earned the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. She averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game while setting a single-season record with 521 total rebounds. In the Finals, her numbers were 14.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. Her performance drew scrutiny from fans and media, particularly after a hand gesture she made with teammate Naz Hillmon following the Dream's win in Game 3.

Reese plans to take a break from the public eye during the offseason. She will not participate in the Unrivaled league and has paused her Unapologetically Angel podcast. She intends to stay in Florida to rest and train. She will also spend time with her partner, Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.

In a postgame press conference, Reese thanked her teammates for their effort. She said the group changed her life and that she would battle alongside them again. She also thanked her mother, who shares her name, for supporting her through every high and low of the season. A video of the two walking off the court together after the loss gained widespread attention.

The Minnesota Valkyries will hold a championship parade on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The event runs from noon to 2 p.m. PT along San Francisco's Embarcadero. The route starts at the Ferry Building and ends near Oracle Park. The WNBA season returns on May 1. The league expects to name a new commissioner to replace Cathy Engelbert, who is retiring. The Connecticut Sun will move to Houston and become the Comets.