ATLANTA — As the 2026 WNBA playoffs kick off on Sunday, Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese was seen wearing a protective mask during pregame warmups at State Farm Arena ahead of their matchup with the Washington Mystics. While it remains uncertain if Reese will keep the mask on during the game, the precaution aligns with a recent facial injury she sustained earlier in the week.
On September 23, Reese exited a game against the New York Liberty before halftime after taking an elbow to the face from Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu. The contact occurred as Ionescu tried to get past Reese, who was defending her; the foul was reviewed and subsequently upgraded to a flagrant 1. Reese managed to sink two free throws with just under six seconds left in the half before leaving the court. She later returned to the bench in the third quarter but did not re-enter the game. The Dream went on to secure an 83-65 win over the Liberty, clinching the No. 4 playoff seed and marking Atlanta’s second consecutive season with 30 or more wins. In her 17 minutes of play, Reese posted six points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Atlanta head coach Tanisha Wright Smesko commented on Reese’s condition Saturday, noting that she appeared to be in good spirits and had performed well in practice. “She seems energized and excited to be in the playoffs,” Smesko said. “She’s been outstanding all season, especially in the crucial moments.”
Following the Dream’s game against the Liberty, Smesko reassured that Reese’s injury should not impact her ability to compete in the playoffs. The medical team cleared Reese to return during the New York game, but Smesko opted to prioritize her safety with the postseason fast approaching. “We decided it was best for her to sit out the second half,” he explained during the postgame interview.
Reese, a former LSU standout, is currently having a career-best season, averaging a double-double for the third year running with 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game across a career-high 43 appearances. She leads the league in total rebounds, offensive rebounds (4.8 per game), and has recorded a league-high 32 double-doubles.
Fan Take: Angel Reese’s mask signals not only her resilience but the importance of player health going into the high-stakes playoffs. WNBA fans should take heart knowing their star is protected and ready to perform, as her presence could be pivotal for the Dream’s postseason success and fan excitement nationwide.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
