Angel Reese’s Ex-Teammate Releases Statement After Atlanta Dream Waives Her While Boarding the Team Bus
Every participant imagines their WNBA debut to be in a sure method. But for Holly Winterburn, her welcome to the league got here in certainly one of the harshest methods doable. When the younger star was presupposed to kick off the 2026 season alongside Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream after spending a whole yr preventing simply to get again on the court docket, she noticed all the pieces take a U-turn.
On May seventh, the Dream introduced their staff’s roster for this season, which featured “a blend of established stars, rising young talent and key offseason additions.” For Winterburn, this announcement felt like the second the place all the pieces lastly got here collectively. But simply when it regarded like the British guard would lastly make her long-awaited debut, she was waived off.
commercial
However, as an alternative of staying silent, she has determined to deal with the emotional second head-on.
“I thought my welcome to the W moment would happen on the court, not like I’m getting on the bus for my first ever game. But that’s the reality of this business & I will always be grateful for the opportunity Atlanta gave me,” she wrote on her instagram Story. “I’m built for this. Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me & felt love. Everything happens for a reason and I’m so excited for what’s next.”
Back in 2025, Atlanta first signed the Northampton, England native to a coaching camp contract underneath the rookie scale. They noticed some critical upside in her résumé, the place she entered the camp as a three-time WBBL Young Player of the Year, a EuroCup Women champion with the London Lions, and main expertise representing Great Britain in FIBA competitors.
At that point, even the Dream common supervisor Dan Padover sounded genuinely enthusiastic about what she might convey to the desk. “Holly is a versatile guard with extensive professional and international experience. We’re excited to see her compete at this level,” he mentioned.
commercial
But earlier than her WNBA journey might even start, Winterburn suffered an harm that pressured her to overlook the complete 2025 season. Still, Atlanta retained its unique WNBA rights, which gave many followers hope that the group nonetheless seen it as a part of its future plans.
All that wait lastly appeared able to repay this season, as Winterburn went on to report 12 factors, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 22 minutes when his former staff locked horns with the Washington Mystics in preseason. She regarded snug, assured, and aggressive on each ends of the ground. Though simply when that momentum was presupposed to translate, she was waived whereas boarding the staff bus en path to Atlanta’s first regular-season sport in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx. But why?
The transfer seemed to be tied to Atlanta securing Aaliyah Nyewho gained a championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2025. “The Dream claimed to save Aaliyah Nye off waivers,” the franchise introduced. “In doing so, the Atlanta Dream also waived guard Holly Winterburn.”
Still, the state of affairs left loads of followers feeling for Winterburn, particularly contemplating how shut she got here to lastly stepping onto a court docket after ready by way of a whole season.
commercial
What’s Next for Angel Reese and the Dream After Atlanta’s Early Roster Shake-Up
Amid early roster motion, Atlanta wasted no time moving into motion as their season opener delivered on the spot depth. The Dream opened their 2026 marketing campaign in opposition to the Lynx and took dwelling the win with a slim 91-90 victory.
May 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Dream ahead Angel Reese (5) celebrates a basket in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx throughout the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
While Nye continues to be but to play a sport with this franchise, Angel Reese stepped straight into the highlight in her debut and completed the sport with 11 factors, 14 rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and two assists. While her shot was nonetheless discovering rhythm early in her Dream tenure after being traded from the Chicago Sky last monthshe made her presence felt in each different side of the sport.
commercial
Her impression went past the field rating as she battled by way of each ends of the ground in a sport that got here all the way down to the last possession. Her defining second arrived in the closing seconds when she rotated completely to dam a possible game-winning layup, signaling Atlanta’s comeback win and giving the Dream a robust begin to their season.
Even after the win, Reese admitted she wasn’t totally glad along with her efficiency, calling it a “rough” outing personally however emphasizing her confidence in the system and assist round her.
So now, with the season underway, all eyes flip as to whether the Dream can flip this momentum into consistency as Angel Reese settles additional into her position in Atlanta.
Trending Articles
commercial
The put up Angel Reese’s Ex-Teammate Releases Statement After Atlanta Dream Waives Her While Boarding the Team Bus appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
