Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese sets WNBA single-game and season rebounding records

By Liam Tremblay — 26 August 2026 — 3 min read

Reese’s recent performance and record-breaking achievements

Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream achieved a WNBA single-game record with 26 rebounds in the team’s 78-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. This performance also pushed her past the league’s season rebounding record in the same game. The record-setting night followed Reese’s career-high 31 points in Atlanta’s win against Phoenix.

With the win against the Sparks, the Dream completed a 4-0 West Coast trip, bringing their record to 25-13. Coach Karl Smesko noted Reese’s consistent improvement, stating, “Angel’s been remarkable on this trip. You can see her getting better each month.”

Reese surpassed Chamique Holdsclaw’s previous record of 24 rebounds, which was set in 2003. Reese now has 458 rebounds in 37 games this season, exceeding A’ja Wilson’s mark from 2024. On the night she set the record, Reese also secured her league-leading 27th double-double of the season, putting her one double-double shy of tying the single-season record set by Alyssa Thomas in 2023.

Reese’s teammate, Allisha Gray, expressed admiration for her rebounding ability, remarking, “I’m just in awe watching her rebound, that’s a talent.” Reese herself commented on her performance, saying she aimed for consistency for her team, whether offensively or defensively.

Impact of online discourse and personal growth

Reese’s move to Atlanta has coincided with significant strides in her game. Beyond her rebounding records, she is also achieving personal highs in scoring, with 16.1 points per game, and total minutes played. Her confidence in ball handling, outside shooting, and shot contesting has also grown.

Despite her on-court success, Reese has faced considerable online criticism and negative attention. She has noted that online trolls often focus on her perceived missteps, even coining the term “mebounds” to dismiss her hard-won rebounds. Reese has used this negativity as motivation, even filing a trademark for “mebounds” to create a line of merchandise, with proceeds intended for cyberbullying prevention.

Reese has been open about the challenges she faces, including online abuse and threats. She has stated, “I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats, I’ve been sexualized. I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time.” This resilience is evident in her play, as she continues to dive for loose balls and compete for rebounds.

The online narrative surrounding Reese has often been influenced by her past interactions with Caitlin Clark, particularly during their college careers. This dynamic has been highlighted by league promoters, who have positioned them as rivals. Despite the external pressures, Reese has continued to develop into a significant player for the Dream, carrying the team’s championship aspirations.

Reese, a three-time WNBA All-Star, has led the league in rebounding in her first two seasons and is on track to do so again, currently averaging 12.4 rebounds in 2026. She has accumulated 1,281 career rebounds in 101 WNBA games. She credits advice from veteran players like Tina Charles for her development, stating her gratitude for their guidance.

The Dream’s recent success, including winning six of their last seven games, places them fourth in the standings, a half-game ahead of the Indiana Fever. Reese’s record-breaking performance on Monday contributed to this strong run.

Source: theguardian.com