Heading into Tuesday’s matchup, the Atlanta Dream were the favorites to win among oddsmakers against the Dallas Wings. Cashing in on the 77-72 victory, the Dream moves to a perfect 2-0 on the season. Anchoring the Atlanta frontcourt was Angel Reese, who made history in the win. Dallas, who stunned the Indiana Fever on opening night, falls to 1-1.
Headlined by Reese and Paige Bueckers, both teams shined in Week 1 of the WNBA power rankings. Tuesday’s contest included eight lead changes and nine ties. But ultimately, the Dream pulled away due to late-game executions, made shots, and defense.
Reese and Bueckers are close on and off the court. Both led the 2020 high school class, which also featured Cameron Brink and several others. Both Met Gala attendees faced off for the first time in the WNBA this season.
“It’s really exciting to continue to see me and Paige grow”, said Reese. “We are obviously friends off the court, but between the court we’re not friends.”
Reese, drafted No. 7 overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, is a perfect 3-0 against the Wings and Bueckers in her professional career, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Now, both are popular faces in the WNBA, two players who have a deep impact on the game.
Reese is now in the midst of her first season as a member of the Dream since Atlanta acquired her for two first-round picks and a 2028 second-round pick swap.
“Obviously, we are two marketable players as well on and off the court,” said Reese regarding her and Bueckers. “We do a lot of great things. A lot of young girls look up to both of us. Our journeys have been different, but people can relate to both of us.”
Angel Reese Makes History
Reese became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 50 career double-doubles in her Dream season debut in the 91-90 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. Having sealed the game with a game-winning block, Reese carried that momentum into Arlington.
In 34 minutes of play, Reese recorded 12 points on 4-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. She tallied a game-high 16 rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Just 24 years old, Reese has the sixth most games with 15+ rebounds in WNBA history and is the fastest player to tally 850 total career rebounds. Upon Reese’s arrival in Atlanta, the Dream boasts a +31 rebounding margin this season.
Through two games, Reese is averaging 11 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and 3.5 blocks.
Dream Rally Behind Reese, Gray
Dream star Allisha Gray was quick to point out Reese’s impact early on in the season.
“She’s such a positive person. No matter what state we are in the game, she always brings us together and lets us know that we got it. She’s such a hard worker, and she’s such a great person as well. Once you get to know her and connect with her, she’s an amazing person… a joy to be around. I have the time of my life hanging out with Angel.”
Reese hit Odyssey Sims with the “too small,” and has immediately made an impact under head coach Karl Smesko’s system. Although time will tell if Reese will stretch the floor, she’s recorded back-to-back double-doubles to kick off the season. Logging 34 minutes, Reese had eight offensive rebounds and added 10 points and 11 rebounds in the second half.
Angel said TOO SMALL
ATL-DAL | League Pass I #WNBASeason30 pic.twitter.com/r8sGahakZe
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 13, 2026
Neither team was particularly efficient on the offensive end, but Reese remained a constant force on the interior. At the half, the Wings and Dream shot a combined 7-of-35 (20%) from beyond the arc. Although the Dream ramped up production from three, especially from Allisha Gray, it was a woeful performance for both. Down the stretch, Atlanta outscored Dallas 19-13 in the fourth quarter and went on a 15-6 run. The Dream sank 3-of-8 3-pointers in the final 10 minutes, two of which came from Gray.
Gray led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 9-of-20 from the field, 4-of-9 from three, and 100% from the free-throw line. In 34 minutes, she tallied four rebounds and ranks fifth in scoring with 24 points per game.
Wings Carried by Bueckers, Ogunbowale
At the end of regulation, Atlanta shot 26-of-69 (39%) from the field and 9-of-33 (27%) from deep. Nothing was falling for Dallas, as the Wings finished 28-of-73 (38%) from the floor, and 4-of-26 (15%) from 3-point range. Despite the loss, Bueckers had herself a night as she broke Jordin Canada‘s ankles, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the floor and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Leading Dallas in scoring was Arike Ogunbowale with 20 points.
put em on skates
#WingsUp https://t.co/nNcLVcq9iw pic.twitter.com/tNfbUL39pR
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) May 13, 2026
Ogunbowale admits the Wings’ defense could improve, and how Atlanta disrupted the offense.
“Our defense wasn’t that good today,” Ogunbowale said after the game. “On a day that we’re not really hitting shots, we have to pick it up on the defensive end…I think they were really guarding our first actions well, and then we just got kind of stagnant.”
Noticeably absent was No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, who scored three points off the bench in her WNBA debut and missed tonight’s contest with a knee injury.
Despite a solid defensive effort, Dallas went cold with the rock, got outrebounded, and lost the battle on the second-chance points. Eventually, Atlanta finished the outing on a 9-2 run over the final five minutes.
The Dream will next host the Wings in Atlanta on Friday, May 22. The regular-season series will conclude in Dallas on Wednesday, July 29.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Staff Writer at Ballislife.com, as well as Director of Ballislife Bets. Follow her on X at @SaraJGamelli.
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