Angel Reese’s belief in the Dream hasn’t wavered — even after their WNBA Finals heartbreak.

Reese, in the aftermath of their 68-63 loss in Game 7 to the Valkyries on Saturday, used the phrase “delayed not denied” to reiterate that Atlanta will return to the league’s ultimate stage.

“It is tough in the moment,” Reese told reporters, “but we’ll be back. And I always say, ’Delayed not denied,’ and this is only year three. … But I’m just really grateful I got to go to war with this group. I would do it again, all over again.”

Reese was limited to just eight points and 12 rebounds in Game 7, as the Valkyries erased a nine-point deficit in the second half and outscored the Dream by seven points in the third quarter alone.

But in her third WNBA season and first since a trade from the Sky, Reese thrived, averaging a career-best 16.4 points per game during the regular season while also adding 12.1 rebounds per game.

She made the third All-Star Game of her career, earned NBA All-Defensive First Team and finished seventh in MVP voting, anchoring the Dream’s deepest playoff run since 2013.

“It’s tough,” Reese told reporters. “Especially with a good group, a great group, that I’ve honestly had the honor to battle with all year. They changed my life, and I’m so grateful for them. And I’m so thankful for them.”

The Dream, who eliminated the Mystics and Liberty to reach the Finals, jumped out to a 2-1 lead against Golden State, but they needed a Game 6 victory to force a decisive series finale.

In Game 7, Gabby Williams poured in 30 points for the Valkyries — who won a championship in just their second season as an expansion franchise.

And if Atlanta had managed to win, it would’ve marked the latest title for Reese, as she won the national championship with LSU in 2023, the Unrivaled title with Rose BC in 2025 and the gold medal with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup earlier this year.

Based on her message in the aftermath of Game 7, Reese remains certain that the Dream will eventually join that list, too.