From the moment Angel Reese said she needs to be more aggressive after going scoreless in the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries, it feels like the energy has shifted. The Atlanta Dream have come roaring back to take a 2-1 lead in the series thanks to the Bayou Barbie’s energetic 30 and 21-point performances, which are lighting up State Farm Arena again in Game 4, this time on the defensive end.

With 2:28 left in the first quarter, the Valkyries lead the Dream 11-7. French star Gabby Williams was bringing the ball to the Dream’s end. However, Angel Reese was stalking the ball in front of her, calculating her every step. As Williams tried to evade Reese and quickly go for a layup, the ball did not even reach the rim. The Dream forward guarded the net with all her might and slapped the ball away from Williams.

Following this elite defensive display, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year was hyped. Reese celebrated the save in front of Williams, then immediately headed towards the team huddle to instill that same energy she was feeling in them. Reese’s defensive efforts and subsequent reaction prompted the commentator to say something which has been lacking with the Valkyries throughout the WNBA Finals.

“You see the passion, you see the energy. That’s the difference in mentality for Atlanta,” the commentator said, per a clip from NBC Sports on X.

So far in the series, the Valkyries look like a shell of the team that won 32 regular-season games and swept the reigning champions Las Vegas Aces 3-0 in the semifinals. Reese’s animated reactions after a successful layup or defensive effort are not just for show. That passion is reflected in her game, as she is currently the frontrunner for Finals MVP, and the Dream are in Wonderland.

Moreover, the Valkyries seem to be losing their own identity. They entered the playoffs as the best defensive side with a rating of 99.3. Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton earned All-Defensive Second Team honors, while Gabby Williams made the 2026 All-Defensive First Team. However, the Valkyries gave up a whopping 97 points to the Dream in Game 3, which, per the league’s postgame notes, set a Dream record for a WNBA Finals game.

The Finals commentator is not the only one noticing the contrast in the Dream’s mentality from that of the Valkyries. Ahead of Game 4, WNBA analysts Gianna Hearn and Jordan Robinson commented on the Valkyries’ half-hearted display in the WNBA Finals.

The Valkyries need a wake-up call, and fast. Head coach Natalie Nakase’s side cannot let the Dream take a 3-1 lead and put the series in a chokehold, as it will be a much greater task coming back from that. As Game 4 continues with the Valkyries holding onto a slight lead in the fourth quarter, it will be interesting to see whether they can level the series heading to Chase Center.

The post Angel Reese’s Fired-Up Reaction After Rejecting Gabby Williams Sparks Broadcaster’s Take on Atlanta appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.