A courtside moment with Dr. J after a dramatic comeback win has the internet buzzing — and rightfully so.
Angel Reese Is Having Her Moment — And Julius Erving Was There to See It
Some moments just hit different. When Angel Reese posed for a photo with NBA icon Julius “Dr. J” Erving following the Atlanta Dream’s electrifying come-from-behind victory, the internet had thoughts. Loud ones. But regardless of where fans stand, one thing is crystal clear — Reese continues to command every room she walks into, even when that room is a basketball arena mid-season.
The Dream edged out the Phoenix Mercury 82-80 at Gateway Center on Sunday in a finish that had hearts racing and edge-of-seat energy through the final buzzer. Down in the closing minutes, Atlanta flipped the script with a jaw-dropping 10-0 run that snatched the lead from Phoenix, 76-75. The surge was ignited by the dynamic play of Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada before Reese and Allisha Gray sealed it with ice-cold free throws when it mattered most.
A Comeback That Had the Legends Watching
Courtside for all the drama? None other than Dr. J himself. The Hall of Famer and one of basketball’s most revered figures witnessed Atlanta’s surge firsthand — and after the final whistle, he and Reese shared a moment that quickly found its way across social media. The WNBA posted the photo on X, and fans immediately lit up the comments.
Supporters gushed over the star pairing, calling it a meeting of greatness and declaring Reese untouchable in her lane. Critics, predictably, showed up too — some pointing to her late-game foul on Kahleah Copper with 3.5 seconds left and the Dream up four, a moment that nearly handed Phoenix a lifeline. But even that couldn’t overshadow the bigger picture: a 4-1 Dream squad on the rise, and a player who seems to attract a spotlight wherever she goes.
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Reese’s Numbers Do the Talking
Beyond the viral photo, Reese let her stat line speak volumes. She finished the night with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block — a near-complete performance that screamed impact, even if her shooting efficiency wasn’t her cleanest outing at 6-of-16 from the field. Double-doubles and multi-category nights have become a signature for her this season, and Sunday was no different.
Howard led the way offensively with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Canada turned in a masterclass with 11 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists, and three steals. Atlanta’s depth is showing, and it’s making them a team the entire league needs to pay attention to.
The Bigger Narrative
The energy surrounding Reese this season is impossible to ignore. Whether she’s dominating on the boards, stepping into a clutch free-throw moment, or standing next to basketball royalty after a W, she has an undeniable presence that transcends the box score. The comparisons to legends — and the debates about her role in growing the game — are becoming as frequent as her stat line appearances.
With the Dream sitting at 4-1 and a matchup against the Minnesota Lynx on the horizon Thursday, Atlanta is building something real. And Reese, now photographed alongside one of the greatest to ever play, seems to understand exactly the legacy she’s working toward.
The greats recognize greatness. Dr. J showed up. So did Angel Reese.
Source: ClutchPoints
