Angel Reese saw this moment coming.
The Dream superstar celebrated reaching the WNBA Finals for the first time in her career Friday night, nearly one year after publicly declaring that she was manifesting a championship appearance.
“I manifested this,” Reese told ESPN following Atlanta’s 85-83 victory over the Liberty in Game 3 of the semifinals.
“When I came to Atlanta, I knew what I was getting. This team has poured so much into me. We poured so much into each other.”
Reese then referenced a social media post she shared on Oct. 10, 2025, the day the Aces defeated the Mercury to win the WNBA championship.
“I posted and tweeted, 10/10/25, that I was manifesting the Finals, and this is my moment,” Reese said.
“I’m supposed to be here. I thank God for this moment.”
One year later, Reese is four wins away from becoming a WNBA champion herself.
And this would come just over three years after Reese helped lead LSU to a national championship over Caitlin Clark and Iowa while the two were college rivals.
The 24-year-old Reese finished Friday’s series-clinching victory with 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks, helping Atlanta complete a three-game sweep of New York.
Reese shot 7-for-18 from the field, made two of her four 3-point attempts — both early in the contest — and converted all six of her free throws.
She scored 18 points in the first half as Atlanta built a 44-39 halftime advantage before surviving a second-half rally from the Liberty.
Rhyne Howard contributed 21 points, while Jordin Canada finished with 19 points and 11 assists.
The Dream secured the victory despite playing without Allisha Gray, who missed her second consecutive game with a left-hand injury, but could be ready to go in the Finals.
Atlanta is returning to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 and seeking the first championship in franchise history.
In the Finals, the Dream will face the Valkyries, who surprisingly swept the defending-champion Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, who earned her fifth MVP Award on Friday.
For Reese, the accomplishment comes during her first season with the Dream following an offseason trade from the Sky, who remain one of the worst teams in the W.
Reese spent her first two WNBA seasons in Chicago, establishing herself as one of the league’s best rebounders and more versatile defenders before stepping into Atlanta.
She averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds during the 2026 regular season and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for the first time in her young career.
The WNBA Finals begin on Oct. 17 in which Reese’s Dream will face the Golden State Valkyries who clinched their spot later on Friday night with an 87-77 overtime win over the Las Vegas Aces.
