Paige Bueckers has only positive things to say about Angel Reese amid the 2026 WNBA Finals. Speaking to the media just days after Reese’s dominant Game 2 performance in the seven-game series, Bueckers, who plays for the Dallas Wings, said she couldn’t be happier for her Team USA teammate.
Paige Bueckers Says She’s Happy To See Angel Reese ‘Thrive’ On The Biggest Stage
Bueckers, whose Dallas Wings were eliminated from the 2026 WNBA playoffs in Round 1, spoke with TMZ about Reese and said the pair are “close friends.”
The UConn alum’s comments come amid the 2026 WNBA Finals, in which Reese’s Atlanta Dream team holds a 2-1 lead over the Golden State Valkyries.
“I’m really happy for her,” Bueckers said. “We’re great competitors, people who just want the best for each other. We’ve stayed in contact.”
Bueckers continued, “Just wishing her the best, talking to her, talking basketball, talking hoops, so to see her thrive on the biggest stage, she deserves it. She works for it. Really happy for her.”
Angel Reese Had A Historic Game 2 In The WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals began in San Francisco last Saturday, where the Dream fell to the Valkyries by four. Reese received pushback from viewers who criticized the LSU alum’s lack of aggression in the second half.
Reese acknowledged her performance in the postgame conference and vowed to make a change in Game 2. She did exactly that, according to The Blast, scoring 30 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to dominate the Valkyries.
The 24-year-old’s performance has certainly been the talk of the town, with some basketball analysts already projecting her to win the Finals MVP title.
Bueckers acknowledged the pressure that’s on Reese to perform, telling TMZ, “The crown that she wears is heavy.”
She added, “But she wears it well, and she wears it with pride. Just to see how she handles everything with grace, just being unapologetically herself, I admire that, and so it’s really great to see her hoopin’.”
Angel Reese Leads The Atlanta Dream To A Second Win In State Farm Arena
Game 3 was much the same for Reese, as she led her team in scoring, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
“No matter if my shots are falling, I just want to make sure I bring energy,” Reese said in the postgame conference. “I just want to be able to come in every day, pour into everybody, bring the energy, bring the morale, because I think it’s contagious.”
Reese and the Dream played Game 3 in downtown Atlanta at State Farm Arena in front of a sold-out crowd. The 17,000-seat arena will be the home for the Dream’s 2026 season—a move that follows their record-breaking 2025 season.
“Our players and our fans have transformed Gateway Center Arena into the most exciting experience in the WNBA. State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta. We look forward to bringing the energy, traditions and spirit of Gateway with us to the heart of our city,” Morgan Shaw Parker, President and COO of the Atlanta Dream, said.
- Angel Reese’s feud with this New York Liberty player motivated her teammate.
- The Atlanta Dream escaped arena drama just days before finals began.
- Insiders revealed how Angel Reese splurged on her teammates after their semifinals win.
- Reese said she manifested the finals.
- WNBA issues statement on Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers.
This Moment Is A Dream Come True For Reese
View this post on Instagram
Reese opened up about reaching the WNBA Finals weeks ago after the Dream swept the New York Liberty. The Bayou Barbie told the media that she manifested the moment exactly a year ago and described the reality as surreal.
“This team has poured so much into me. We poured so much into each other. I posted and tweeted (on) 10/10/25 that I was manifesting the Finals and this is my moment. I’m supposed to be here. I thank God for this moment. And I’m just so thankful,” she said.
Reese Knows Where Home Is
As the WNBA Finals continue, Reese is also reflecting on her journey after spending the first two seasons with the Chicago Sky before being traded to the Atlanta Dream.
Reese said she knew the Dream was the perfect fit, and seeing everything work out the way she hoped has been extremely satisfying for her.
“I belong here,” she said. “I wanted to help this team and do whatever it takes, not just to get out of the first round, not just to get out of the semis, but to make it to the Finals and win a championship. The job is not done.”
Also Read:Angel Reese Embarrasses Golden State Valkyries Bench Player After Verbal FeudRelated Headlines