Draymond Green's bold verdict on the WNBA: People are paying premium prices just to watch Angel Reese fail
The Warriors star claims some fans are tuning in to see Reese fail, but their attention could be giving the WNBA an unexpected boost
A ngel Reese's ability to attract attention is becoming a major talking point ahead of the 2026 WNBA Finals.
According to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green , however, not everyone tuning in to watch the Atlanta Dream star will be hoping she lifts the championship trophy. Some viewers, he believes, are equally interested in seeing her struggle on basketball's biggest stage.
Speaking On the October 16 episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green discussed how Reese's polarizing reputation has helped her become one of the most talked-about players in women's basketball.
“Angel is gonna have people watching this because there’s a large consortium of people who want to see her succeed,” Green said. “There’s an even larger group of people who want to see her fail, and they’re gonna watch to see her fail, which is great.
“Great. Come on. Come watch for the league. It’s great. But they’re going to watch because they want to see her fail. So, I think that also brings something to this matchup.”
His comments arrive at a time when interest in the championship series is translating into unusually high ticket prices.
Atlanta will face the Golden State Valkyries in a matchup that offers both franchises an opportunity to capture their first WNBA title.
According to Front Office Sports, the cheapest tickets listed for Game 1 at San Francisco's Chase Center stood at $214 on October 15.
That's a considerable increase from last year's Finals opener between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury, when the lowest-priced ticket reportedly ended at just $34. Atlanta's Game 3 also generated significant demand, with reported entry prices reaching $201.
Angel Reese is ready to embrace the championship spotlight
Although Reese's public profile has attracted plenty of criticism, her performances have given Atlanta another reason to celebrate.
The Dream are pursuing their first championship after a lengthy wait, and their star forward has played an important role in their postseason campaign.
Through five playoff games, Reese is averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. She's also shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc, while her defensive presence has helped Atlanta establish itself as a formidable playoff team.
Reaching the Finals represents an opportunity for Reese to demonstrate that she can deliver when the stakes are highest.
Speaking during Friday's media day, she made it clear that she's prepared for the challenge.
“You have to be a playoff riser,” Reese said. “The greats are built for this. If you want to be considered the best player and well-respected, you can't shy away from the moment.”
The forward can draw on previous championship experience, having won the 2023 NCAA title with LSU and earned a gold medal with Team USA at the World Cup in Berlin in September.
Reese has consistently emphasized her determination to win, regardless of the circumstances. Now, she'll have the opportunity to put that mindset to the test against Golden State.
Reese's performances will offer the clearest response to her critics. With a championship within reach, she has an opportunity to turn the spotlight into a defining moment.
