Updated Sept. 26, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET

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CHAMBLEE, GA ― Angel Reese is set to compete in the 2026 WNBA playoffs, according to Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko. On Sept. 26, Smesko noted, "She seems to be in great spirits. She’s had a couple of really good practices. I think she’s excited about being in the playoffs this time of year," ahead of the Dream's matchup against the Washington Mystics.

Reese was not included in Atlanta’s injury report released on Saturday. She left a game against the New York Liberty on Sept. 23 shortly before halftime after sustaining contact to her face from Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu. The foul was assessed and upgraded to a flagrant 1. Reese shot two free throws with just under six seconds left in the half before exiting the game.

Although she returned to the bench with 6:19 remaining in the third quarter, Reese did not re-enter. The Dream ultimately won the game 83-65, securing the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and marking their second consecutive 30-win season. In the contest, Reese played 17 minutes, scoring six points and recording six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Smesko confirmed that Reese was "cleared" to re-enter the game by the medical staff but decided to hold her out as a precaution. "We made a decision that it would be smarter for her to sit out the second half," Smesko said after the game.

Reese will make her first playoff appearance on Sept. 27. This season, she has maintained an impressive performance, averaging a career-high of 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals across 43 games. As the league leader in total rebounds, offensive rebounds (4.8 per game), and double-doubles (32), Reese made history earlier this month by becoming the first player in league history to gather 500 rebounds in a single season.

On Aug. 30, she achieved her 29th double-double during the Dream's 89-81 victory over the Minnesota Lynx, setting a WNBA record for single-season double-doubles. Additionally, on Aug. 24, Reese set a WNBA single-game record with 26 rebounds during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks, also establishing a single-season rebounding record with 458 rebounds.