Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese said she played poorly early in Sunday's WNBA game against the Indiana Fever [1].
Reese's candid self-assessment highlights the volatility of professional performance and the mental reset required to swing momentum in high-stakes league matchups.
Speaking on her performance, Reese said, "I was playing like s---" [2]. She said her early struggles were a significant part of the game's initial flow before she was able to refocus her efforts on the court.
Despite the slow start, Reese helped lead a surge that shifted the game's trajectory. She said, "We had a 17-4 run to close the half" [3]. This scoring burst allowed the Dream to establish a lead over the Fever heading into the locker room at halftime [1].
Reese later reflected on her willingness to be critical of her own play during the game. She said, "I was honest about how I started the game" [4].
The game featured a significant swing in momentum during the first half. While the Dream utilized the 17-4 run to take a halftime advantage [1], reports on the final outcome of the contest vary between sources [4, 1].
“"I was playing like s---"”
The contrast between Reese's early struggles and the subsequent scoring run underscores the impact of individual momentum on team success in the WNBA. By acknowledging her poor start, Reese demonstrates a level of transparency regarding the psychological challenges of professional athletics, where a single run can redefine a player's contribution to a game.
