Angel Reese’s Defensive Dominance Powers Rose BC Back To Unrivaled Playoffs

Angel Reese is headed back to the Unrivaled playoffs. After a fiery contest against the Laces BC, Reese and her Rose BC teammates emerged victorious on February 22, 2026, allowing them the chance to defend their championship title from last year.

Angel Reese's Unrivaled return has been the talk of the town, as the WNBA superstar initially opted to sit out her second season. During her off-season, Reese has taken on new work, including acting roles and coveted modeling gigs.

Angel Reese And The Rose BC Are Headed Back To The Unrivaled Playoffs After A Close Win Against Jackie Young And The Laces

Last night's Unrivaled matchup was all the craze, as "Point Gawd" Chelsea Gray delivered one of the league's most spectacular performances, scoring 10 3-pointers and ending the night with an impressive 38 points.

Reese also showed up ready to play, scoring nine points on four-of-nine shooting, securing 15 rebounds, and recording four assists. The final score was 66-70, and Reese's late-game defensive impact also helped the Rose secure a win.

Reese spoke with reporters after the game and said she was eager to be the player her teammates needed. "I can always rely on my defense no matter what," she said. "I told Chelsea and Kah, 'Cook, and I'll clean up everything else.'"

Angel Reese Speaks About Returning To Unrivaled Late In The Second Season, Says The League Prioritizes Supporting Every Player On The Court

Angel Reese on being back in #Unrivaled:

“It feels really good to be back. Being in a healthy environment where the fans just love basketball feels really good. I’m happy to be here. Unrivaled has done a great job being able to bring out fans that really support each player.” pic.twitter.com/3oNLgOBhAZ

— Wendell Epps (@epps_wendell) February 23, 2026

Reese also discussed how much being back on the Unrivaled court means to her after initially choosing not to participate in the league's second season.

"It feels really good to be back," she said. "Being in a healthy environment where fans just love basketball feels really good."

Reese, who, in addition to winning the league's first-ever championship in 2025, was awarded Unrivaled's inaugural Defensive Player of the Year title after receiving the most votes from players, coaches, and the media, also praised the 3x3 league for taking care of the players.

"I'm happy to be here," she said. "Unrivaled has done a great job being able to bring out fans that really support each player."

Angel Reese Says Her Former Teammates Kept Calling For Her Return To The Court

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Unrivaled Basketball (@unrivaledbasketball)

Before returning to Unrivaled, Reese starred in the latest Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, becoming the first professional athlete to rock a pair of the company's legendary wings.

Reese also took the stage in feature films, "A House of Dynamite," starring Idris Elba, and "GOAT," starring Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Gabrielle Union.

Even with all of her extracurriculars to keep her busy, Reese couldn't stay away from the game. "From the first day Unrivaled started, they’ve been calling me to come back," Reese said, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

"Literally, I was in Australia, and they were like ‘You want to come back?'" she added. "I was like, ‘Alright.’ Literally, I was on the beach last week, and now I’m here."

Fans Are Living For Reese's Energy On The Unrivaled Basketball Court

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by B/R W Sports (@brwsports)

Highlights from last night's contest have been shared online, and Reese fans are loving the energy she's brought to Unrivaled.

"Loved every second," a user wrote on Instagram. "I literally had tears in my eyes! Such a great game! Clutch shooting and clutch DEFENSE!!!" another shared.

"Gotta love Angel, she talk so much ish on the floor, very competitive but she still friend with everyone," a third wrote. "This was such a great game."

Reese Celebrated Her Unrivaled Return With A New Edition Of Her Popular Signature Shoe, The 'AR1'

According to a report from The Blast, Reese celebrated her Unrivaled return with a new edition of her signature shoe, the "AR1," in a special "Rose Dust" colorway.

Reese, in collaboration with Reebok, will release another three pairs in the coming weeks: the "Gala Green," "Unapolgetically Angel," and "Navy Halo."

"I’ve always believed your style should match your mindset," Reese said about the upcoming SS26 collection. "Coming back to the court in these new Angel Reese 1 colorways feels powerful–each one built with intention and made to stand out."

Since launching the first edition of her signature sneaker in September 2025, Reese has released a handful of colorways with significant meaning, including "Charm City," which pays homage to her Baltimore roots, "Diamond Dust," which are a reflection of her grit and determination, and the upcoming "Navy Halo," which are "grounded in poise and power."