ANGEL REESE CLEARED TO PLAY IN DREAM'S PLAYOFF OPENER

Angel Reese has been removed from the Atlanta Dream's injury report ahead of their first-round playoff game against the Washington Mystics, head coach Karl Smesko has confirmed. Reese suffered a flagrant foul from New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, who elbowed her in the face with 5.6 seconds left in the second quarter of Wednesday's game. She returned from the locker room to make two free throws before Atlanta held her out of the second half as a precaution. Smesko said Reese had since had several strong practices and appeared in good spirits heading into the playoffs. He added that she had performed well throughout the season and down the stretch.

The Dream finished the regular season as the fourth seed with a 30-14 record, with Reese established as a key figure in their frontcourt. She is averaging a career-high 16.4 points per game, alongside 12.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season. Her form has included a WNBA-record 32nd double-double of the season, recorded in Monday's game against the Liberty, which moved her level with Yolanda Griffith for 12th on the league's all-time double-doubles list. Earlier in the month, Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record more than 500 rebounds in a single season.

Reese was seen wearing a face mask on Sunday ahead of Game 1 against the Mystics, according to separate reporting. Her availability means Atlanta will have their frontcourt player for what is being described as her first-ever playoff appearance. Smesko's comments came in a press availability on Saturday, a day before the series opener. No further details on the mask or any lasting effects of the elbow have been reported.