Angel Reese is making history in the WNBA during her 2026 season. The Atlanta Dream forward notched her 32nd double-double on Monday against the New York Liberty, further extending the league record she set earlier this year. In that game at Barclays Center, Reese scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping Atlanta secure a 95-84 victory.
This achievement tied her with Hall of Famer Yolanda Griffith for 12th place on the all-time WNBA double-double list. Reese’s milestone came as the Dream fought to clinch home-court advantage and her standout play has been key to Atlanta’s resurgence. Her impressive stats now put her in the company of some of the league’s greatest names.
Reese extended her single-season double-double record late in the season, surpassing her own mark of 29, set against Minnesota on August 30. The previous record belonged to Alyssa Thomas, who recorded 28 double-doubles in 2022; Reese not only broke that record but has continued to add to it throughout the final stretch of Atlanta’s schedule. This is especially impressive considering she missed time in 2025 due to a back injury but stayed healthy and productive throughout 2026, making her double-double tally one of Atlanta’s most significant statistical highlights.
Atlanta’s recent 95-84 win over New York highlighted more than just a personal milestone for Reese. Jordin Canada led the Dream with 19 points and nine assists, while DeWanna Bonner and Rhyne Howard scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. Reese contributed 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, collected nine defensive rebounds and one offensive rebound, and added two assists and a block. Atlanta controlled the boards and pulled ahead in the second half after leading by three at halftime. Despite New York playing a back-to-back, with Breanna Stewart posting 27 points and 14 rebounds, Atlanta’s balanced offense secured its fourth straight win.
With this win, Reese’s career total for double-doubles rose to 81, tying her with Griffith for 12th place in WNBA history. Now in her third season after being the seventh pick in the 2024 draft, Reese started with Chicago, logging 26 double-doubles as a rookie and 23 more in 2025, before moving to Atlanta via trade in the 2026 offseason. That year alone accounts for 32 of her 81 career double-doubles, putting her on pace with long-standing stars and Hall of Famers. For context, Griffith achieved her 81 double-doubles over an 11-year career that included seven All-Star nods, an MVP title in 1999, and a championship in 2005, underscoring Reese’s rapid rise to elite company.
Reese’s dominance on the boards has been central to her double-double success. She made history as the first WNBA player to grab 500 rebounds in a single season when she secured her 500th rebound against Chicago on September 19. That game also featured 23 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks from Reese, helping Atlanta to a 106-81 win and marking her 31st double-double of the year. Additionally, it was her 13th game scoring at least 20 points in 2026. Her consistent rebounding has provided Atlanta with valuable second-chance opportunities, and her combination of rebounding and scoring inside has become a hallmark of the Dream’s offense. Notably, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, doing so in just 79 games, further cementing her place in the record books alongside her rookie streak for consecutive double-doubles.
Atlanta’s success this season has elevated Reese’s spotlight. The Dream finished with a 30-14 record, tying their franchise-high win total, earning the No. 4 seed, and securing home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. While Reese has been pivotal, contributions from Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Jordin Canada, along with strong defense that ranks among the league’s best in steals, have also been critical. Reese’s interior scoring and rebounding have given Atlanta a dependable frontcourt presence, linking her individual milestones to the team’s postseason push.
Although Reese was primarily known entering 2026 for her rebounding and inside play, her scoring prowess has also blossomed in Atlanta. She averaged 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game during the regular season. These numbers follow two strong seasons with Chicago — 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds as a rookie in 2024 (with 26 double-doubles, among the highest for a rookie) and 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 2025. Reese’s growth as a scorer, rebounder, and playmaker continues to define her evolution.
Heading into the playoffs, Atlanta will face the Washington Mystics in the opening best-of-three series, with home-court advantage thanks to their fourth-place finish and a 15-7 home record. Reese didn’t record a double-double in the final regular-season game, contributing six points, six rebounds, and three assists in 17 minutes during an 83-65 win that cemented the Dream’s playoff spot. Her total of 32 double-doubles this season and 81 career double-doubles showcase how swiftly she’s risen in the WNBA record books, all while driving Atlanta to a 30-win season.
Quick Summary:
- Angel Reese notched her 32nd double-double in the Dream’s September 21 win over New York.
- This set a new WNBA single-season record and brought her career total to 81.
- She tied Hall of Famer Yolanda Griffith for 12th on the league’s all-time double-double list.
- Reese became the first player to surpass 500 rebounds in a single WNBA season.
- Atlanta finished 30-14, earning the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the opening playoffs round.
Fan Take: Angel Reese’s remarkable achievements this season underscore her emergence as one of the game’s premier players, delivering exciting performances that elevate the entire WNBA. Her historic stat lines and Atlanta’s success signal a rising tide for the league, promising great competition and increased visibility for women’s basketball in the years ahead.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
