Angel Reese took down Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever twice in two days, and now she’s opening up about a viral moment that got fans talking. During Atlanta dream’s battle against the fever on Thursday, June 18, cameras caught Reese singing along to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn known as “the black national anthem.” Reese said hearing the powerful song right before tip-off during the Juneteenth weekend triggered something in her, fueling her focus and helping her power through as the Dream completed a two-game sweep over Indiana.
Reese caught the attention of many on June 18 when a video of her song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” went viral. In the clip, Reese is seen swaying back and forth and looking up at the ceiling as he talks about the lyrics: “Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.”
Social media users were moved by the display, with one writing: “You could NEVER make me hate her. EVER.” Another commented: “Black excellence celebrated in a very racially heated arena.”
After today’s (June 20) matchup against the Fever, Reese commented on the moment and explained how much the track means to her and other black people.
Angel Reese Says Her ‘Ancestors Walked So I Could Run’
Angel Reese on the music video for her song “Lift Every voice and Sing” making the rounds over the Juneteenth weekend:
“My ancestors walked so I could run.”
Reese also said that when she heard the boos for her last match and then the song came on, she felt supported. pic.twitter.com/YZUts6nFpL
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) 20 June 2026
“It was just one of those moments where I was and how it felt and how it hit and the things that I’ve had to experience over the last few years,” she told the outlet, according to Meghan L. Hall, USA Today reporter. “It hasn’t always been great, but my ancestors walked so I could run.”
She added: “I’ll never forget that. Every day I wake up, I’m very grateful. It wasn’t supposed to be easy, but I’m very, very grateful for this opportunity to be a black woman. It’s a privilege, and to be in this room, to shine and use my voice, it’s very important.”
Reese went on to say that she hadn’t heard the track in a while before that moment, but being in Indiana’s arena and hearing the loud boos ignited something in her. “When I heard (the song), it made me feel, ‘This is for those who went before me.’ … it’s bigger than me.”
Angel Reese celebrates WNBA history with her 1,000th. rebound of his professional career
Angel Reese on what it means to become the fastest player to reach 1K rebounds in #WNBA history
Question @ItsMeghanLHall“I’m just thinking about my job. I think people don’t realize rebounds started when you think defensive rebounds are a little easier, but to go in and… https://t.co/1rN8BoTwnG
— Wilton C. Jackson II (@WiltonReports) 20 June 2026
On Thursday, Reese recorded his 10th double-double of the season after scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. During the second dream game against the Fever in two days, Reese recorded 18 points and 8 rebounds. Her rebounding today also put her in a league of her own, which makes her one fastest player to reach 1,000 career rebounds in 79 games.
Reese broke her silence on holding the new record and told Hall that rebounding is an essential skill. “… goes in and crashes every single time to get a second chance on the offensive end,” she said. “And you can see statistically, not just from my shots, but from my teammates, and it gives us more points, it gives us more opportunities. Just being able to come out and do what I do every single night just shows my consistency.”
The Atlanta Dream set a new franchise record
Karl Smesko on Dream scored 100+ the last 4 of his 5 matchups:
“Well, we have really good offensive players. That combined with us playing at a lot more pace … I think it’s starting to catch on, the pace we want to play at.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) 20 June 2026
The Dream beat the Fever Saturday, 113-96, setting a franchise record for total points scored in a single game. Today’s contest was also the fourth straight in which Atlanta scored over 100 points.
Head coach Karl Smesko praised his team, which includes Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon and, of course, Reese, calling them “really good offensive players.”
“That combined with us playing at a lot more pace… I think it’s starting to catch on, the pace we want to play at,” he added.
Toronto is next
Reese and the rest of the Atlanta Dream will spend the next day recovering before taking on the Toronto Tempo on Monday, July 22 at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
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