The Sporting News says Angel Reese deserves WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: she ranked fourth in defensive rating at 100 points per 100 possessions and set a center record with 77 steals. Atlanta’s rating was 74 with her on court in 17 minutes against New York.
Atlanta’s 83-65 win over the Liberty secured the Dream the No. 4 playoff seed and a second consecutive 30-win season. Reese played 17 minutes after Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu swiped at her; Ionescu was assessed a Flagrant 1. Atlanta’s playoff opponent was to be determined after Thursday’s final regular-season games.
Reese also won her third consecutive rebounding title and became the only player in WNBA history to record a 500-rebound season, the article says. It describes Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams as a popular choice for the defensive award and says she has a strong case.
