Reese drops career-best 31 points as Dream clinch playoff spot
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Angel Reese scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, securing her 25th double-double of the season as the Atlanta Dream defeated the Phoenix Mercury 99-89 to clinch a playoff berth.
- The Dream improved to 24-13, winning five of their past six games, and moved half a game ahead of the Indiana Fever for the fourth seed with seven games remaining.
- Reese set the Atlanta single-season record for double-doubles and is three shy of the WNBA league record, showcasing significant offensive improvement praised by coach Karl Smesko.
- Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 38 points, but Phoenix fell short and became the first team since 2008 to miss the playoffs after reaching the WNBA Finals the previous season.
- Alyssa Thomas recorded her 22nd regular-season triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, while the Dream maintained control throughout the game despite a strong third-quarter surge by Phoenix.
