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Angel Reese took almost 24 hours to post her first message after losing the WNBA Finals. The Atlanta Dream player fell on Saturday to the Golden State Valkyries by 68-63 in Game 7 and, the following day, shared on Instagram a reflection on her season and how close she came to winning the title.
Amid a message centered on pride in what had been achieved, there was one phrase that especially caught attention: “I realize that not many get to experience this in their third year in the league.”
Reese did not mention Caitlin Clark, but the reference to her third year as a professional reignited comparisons with the Indiana Fever star.
The phrase that put Caitlin Clark back in the spotlight
Reese spoke after the loss and acknowledged that she was still affected by having lost the final, although she highlighted what it meant to reach the Finals in just her third season in the league.
Through her social media, she said she was in shock over how the championship ended. She later assured that she was “MORE THAN PROUD” and that she had nothing to reproach herself for.
In the post, mentioning her third year takes on special significance because of her history with Caitlin Clark. Both entered the WNBA in 2024, after being at the center of one of the most talked-about rivalries in college basketball. Since then, their careers have followed different paths, but they continue to be compared by fans and the media.
However, there is an important distinction: Reese did not name Clark or frame her message as a response to her. The comparison arises from the context of their respective careers.
Reese is already thinking about next season
In her post, the player also made it clear that the defeat does not change her goals or her desire to keep competing at the highest level. Far from seeing it as a definitive failure, she views it as an opportunity to learn and prepare for what comes next.
“Every defeat is a lesson and, sometimes, it’s not a NO, but simply a NOT YET. It’s a delay, not a rejection. Believe me, I REALLY WANT more”, she wrote. With those words, Reese made it clear that the experience in the Finals has not diminished her ambition and that she remains determined to fight for the first championship of her career.
The season also brought her significant individual recognition.
Reese was selected as an All-Star for the third consecutive year, made the All-WNBA Second Team, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award. In addition, she set historic records in the competition during the season and the playoffs.
The ending, however, was painful. In Game 7 against Golden State, Reese finished with eight points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks in 33 minutes. The Valkyries prevailed 68-63 and captured the first title in their history, just in their second season in the league.
The player closed her message with a phrase that sums up her intention to return to compete for the championship: “Back to work! See you in six months”. The defeat still weighs heavily, but Reese has already made it clear that her goal remains intact
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