Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream was named the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, marking a historic first for the franchise as they prepare to face the New York Liberty in the WNBA semifinals.
Reese dominated the voting, securing 46 out of 74 votes, surpassing contenders such as Golden State’s Gabby Williams with 20 votes, Las Vegas’s A’ja Wilson who received 4 votes, and Washington’s Shakira Austin with 2 votes. Her defensive prowess has quickly become a cornerstone for Atlanta’s lineup.
Head coach Karl Smesko praised Reese’s fearless approach, emphasizing her ability to embrace challenges and elevate her performance during critical moments. As the Dream gear up for their best-of-five semifinal series starting Sunday, they rely heavily on Reese’s presence to anchor their defense.
Semifinal Showdown: Atlanta vs. New York
The Dream, seeded fourth, will host the eighth-seeded Liberty, aiming to advance to the WNBA finals for the first time since 2013. Atlanta holds a 2-1 advantage over New York from their regular-season meetings, but the Liberty’s recent form, including an upset victory over top-seeded Minnesota in the first round, highlights their strength and resilience when at full capacity.
Forward Breanna Stewart acknowledged New York’s underdog status but expressed confidence in their determination, noting, “We are an eight-seed even though we don’t feel like it. We need to be that… have that chip on our shoulder.”
The opening game of the series will take place in Atlanta on Sunday, with details yet to be announced. As the Dream lean on Reese’s defensive intensity, the semifinals promise a hard-fought contest between two teams hungry for championship glory.