Family Support in New Orleans Following Finals Defeat
Days after suffering a heartbreaking Game 7 defeat in the WNBA Finals with the Atlanta Dream against the Golden State Valkyries, WNBA star Angel Reese found a brief respite courtside at the Smoothie King Center. EssentiallySports reported that Reese was photographed alongside her mother, Angel Webb Reese, supporting her brother Julian Reese, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans.
The family gathering offered an emotional lift following a demanding postseason run. Reese averaged 14.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks across the seven-game championship series. Despite the Atlanta Dream falling short of the title, Reese has vowed to return for another championship run, using the phrase “delayed not denied” to characterize the team’s ongoing quest for the ultimate prize.
Julian Reese’s NBA Status With the Pelicans
Julian Reese signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans after going undrafted in 2025, a path that included stints in the Summer League with the Los Angeles Lakers, an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors, and a subsequent two-way deal with the Washington Wizards. During his time with Washington, the 6-foot-7 forward played 13 games with 10 starts, averaging 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds on 52.9% shooting from the field.
In the Pelicans’ 115-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Julian Reese did not take the floor. Across the early stretch of the season, he has appeared in just one game for New Orleans, logging three minutes in a 121-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks where he posted 2 points and 1 rebound.
Offseason Public Appearances and Alma Mater Tribute
Before traveling to New Orleans, Reese visited her alma mater, Louisiana State University (LSU), where the Tigers honored their former national champion during halftime against Texas Southern. Head coach Kim Mulkey presented Reese with a rose bouquet and a gold crown while a tribute video played inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Reflecting on her collegiate development during a postgame media interaction reported by Twasl News, Reese credited Mulkey’s demanding practices for easing her transition to the professional level. “When you go from four-hour practices to an hour, I’m like, ‘Well, anymore, like what else do we have?’ So yeah, it’s really easy. The transition is a lot easier,” Reese told reporters.
Evaluating the Broader Context of Reese’s Offseason Journey
The whirlwind schedule reflects the constant spotlight surrounding Angel Reese following an intense competitive calendar. After winning a national title with LSU in 2023, being selected No. 7 overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and eventually landing with the Atlanta Dream, Reese has continually tested her mettle against elite competition. Her third WNBA season culminated in career-best regular-season numbers of 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, an All-Star selection, an NBA All-Defensive First Team nod, and a seventh-place finish in MVP voting.
While the WNBA Finals loss to the expansion Golden State Valkyries—who sealed the title behind a 30-point performance from Gabby Williams—stings, Reese’s courtside presence in New Orleans underscores the importance of familial support. Her ability to pivot from the grueling intensity of a seven-game championship series to supporting her brother’s professional aspirations highlights a resilient mindset during a much-needed offseason recharge.
Looking Ahead to Future Competition
As Julian Reese continues to fight for a consistent rotational spot under a two-way contract with the Pelicans, Angel Reese prepares for the long-term work required to bring a championship to Atlanta. Having already accumulated major milestones—including an Unrivaled title with Rose BC in 2025 and a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup—Reese remains steadfast in her competitive trajectory.
The coming months will allow both siblings to train, recover, and evaluate their respective positions within the professional basketball landscape. For Angel, the focus remains fixed on leadership, defensive intensity, and sustaining the high standard demanded by her basketball journey.