# Angel Reese's Second-Half Struggle After Valkyries Adjust

> Angel Reese's second-half collapse follows Valkyries' strategic shift, with former ESPN reporter Linda Cohn arguing both things can be true.
- Title: Angel Reese's Second-Half Struggle After Valkyries Adjust
- Summary: Angel Reese's second-half collapse follows Valkyries' strategic shift, with former ESPN reporter Linda Cohn arguing both things can be true. Angel Reese…
- Keywords: angel reese, valkyries, nate nakase, linda cohn, laeticia amihere, wnba, dpoys, atlanta dream, golden state valkyries, wnba finals, sports, Angel
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-both-things-can-be-true-ex-espn-host-challenges-angel-reese-narrative-after-valkyries-shut-her-down-in-second-half
- Author: Joy Bassy
- Published: 2026-10-19T14:47:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: angel reese, valkyries, nate nakase, linda cohn, laeticia amihere, wnba, dpoys, atlanta dream, golden state valkyries, wnba finals, sports
## Reese Dominates First Half
Angel Reese scored 14 points and 12 rebounds in the first half, finishing as Atlanta's second-highest scorer.
## Valkyries Shift Strategy
Natalie Nakase's Valkyries adjusted their game plan to limit Angel Reese's touches and use Laeticia Amihere more in the second half.
## Linda Cohn's Analysis
Former ESPN reporter Linda Cohn said the Valkyries made adjustments on Angel Reese, including using Laeticia Amihere more and limiting her touches.

> Golden State didn’t do anything? Angel Reese is a fantastic player. To shut her out in the second half, they had to do something different.
## Amihere's Impact
Laeticia Amihere played 14 minutes, scoring 5 points and 5 rebounds, challenging Reese's offensive flow in the paint.
## Reese's Second-Half Struggle
Reese recorded no points in the second half after being blocked by Amihere during a critical layup attempt.
## Valkyries' Winning Run
The Valkyries went on a 7-0 run in the final 2:15 minutes, all from the charity stripe, to win Game 1.
## Key takeaway

Angel Reese scored 14 points in the first half but struggled in the second half after the Valkyries adjusted their strategy, with former ESPN reporter Linda Cohn stating both her lack of aggression and the team's adjustments can be true.