The Dream have a secret support system at the WNBA Finals: Their moms

For context, the Dream have a secret backing system at the WNBA Finals: Their moms.

Key points

• Howard's mom Rhvonja aka "RJ" played college basketball at Florida from 1987 to 1991.
• SAN FRANCISCO ― When the Atlanta Dream win, the mom's of Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon create sure the celebration continues.
• The Dream's hype squad of Angel Webb Reese, Rhvonja Avery and NaSheema Anderson are cheering back-to-back 30-win seasons, the No.
• The Dream are down 1-0 after falling, 68-64, in Game 1.
• As Reese, Howard, Hillmon and the Dream approach Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, they will probable lean on their moms.

For context, the Dream have a secret backing system at the WNBA Finals: Their moms. Meghan L. Hall USA TODAY. Angel Reese reacts to new nickname from Hawks star CJ McCollum.

Angel Reese reacts to her new nickname, "Queen of the South" given by Atlanta Hawks' CJ McCollum.

In practice, the Dream's hype squad of Angel Webb Reese, Rhvonja Avery and NaSheema Anderson are cheering back-to-back 30-win seasons, the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and trip to the WNBA Finals. The trio travel together to their daughter's road games, coordinate their game-day fits and, lately, kicked off showing up on the win cam.

Notably, a post-victory video has become a staple in Atlanta. It usually starts with Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao screaming, "You already know what it is!" before launching into her customary and purposely drawn out "W's in the chat!" Players like Reese and Hillmon then drop in with versions of "Big dub!" or "Dubs in the chat!" Others like Howard and Allisha Gray, typically won't say a lot, but do appear.

For months, the videos only included players and staff. Then, came the new faces: Reese and Hillmon's moms. Howard's mom was there, but opted to stay off camera and out of the spotlight. USA TODAY asked multiple Dream players when the special guests began joining in and which mom came up with the idea. Though they had their guesses, no one knew the answer. Still, the players are overjoyed to have the parental backing.

My mom's traveled to every game for as long as I can remember, even back to college, she's been at basically every game, Howard remarked. Just being able to see the friendship and the relationship that she has with the other moms is kind of mirror image to what we have as far as the daughters.

"You have that family core with us, but then you extend it and you see them out, and it's like, 'Wow. Everybody in the organization is a family.' They're dragging individuals along, welcome in. They welcomed (Angel's mom) with open arms and just being able to see her around and (see her) obtain a little bit out of her shell, it's been nice to see." Dream's basketball moms share special moments with WNBA daughters.

In practice, the relationship between the Dream's traveling moms appears to be a bond years in the making.

Reese's mom, who is additionally named Angel and jokingly called "Senior" by the team, played basketball at Maryland Baltimore County from 1988 to 1992 and was inducted into the UMBC Athletics Hall of Fame. Howard's mom Rhvonja aka "RJ" played college basketball at Florida from 1987 to 1991. Hillmon's mother, NaSheema, was an All-American at Vanderbilt, where she played from 1994 to 1998. She then played professionally for the American Basketball League's Nashville Noise.

Notably, the former hoops stars are now watching their daughters blossom as teammates and building their own relationships along the way. Their children appear to treasure sharing basketball and all of their achievements with their parents. Reese, who is aptly called "Junior" by her teammates, gushed regarding her mom. This person has been there for her biggest moments, including presenting her the Defensive Player of the Year trophy.

She always supports me, Reese remarked. She's not a parent that's particularly hard on me, more loving and highly much caring and just particularly soft. You need that balance. You need the parent that's always gonna be there for you and backing you.

"It means everything to me. She's poured a lot into me. I've done everything for her, from going to college ― I knew I wanted to go to college for free, obtain a scholarship, so I was able to pay that back to her ― being able to pay her mortgage off (was one of the) things I wanted to do for her and just being able to show up for her."

Howard's mom was there when she met Queen Latifah, someone she has been asking to attend her games for years. After Latifah followed Howard back on Instagram this year, the Dream guard created another plea for Latifah to attend a game. In September, Howard obtained her long-awaited wish, but with a small twist.

Latifah sat courtside for a Dream-New York Liberty regular-season matchup in late September. After winning 95-84 at Barclays Center, Howard met the rapper and singer turned actress alongside Reese, Gray and DeWanna Bonner. Latifah then let Howard in on a funny secret: her mom beat her to the punch. "When I met Queen Latifah, she said, 'Oh, I met your mom already.' She didn't come to see you, " Howard remarked, smiling and joking as she recalled the moment.

Jordin Canada informed USA TODAY Sports it's nice to have the moms around. Though, they are there to backing their children, they "take care of everybody." Canada called them "team moms" that provide love and encouragement when players away from their families. Dream need backing for Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

Meanwhile, the Dream are down 1-0 after falling, 68-64, in Game 1. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points and eight other players scored in Golden State's balanced effort. The Valkyries shot 33% from the field, but they were dialed in defensively late in the fourth quarter.

Allisha Gray had 19 points to lead three Dream players in double figures. Reese had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Howard continued 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Atlanta shot 32% from the field and scored eight points in the fourth quarter, going scoreless in the final three minutes of regulation.

In practice, the team will look to take Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 19, before it heads back to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4. Doing so could be a tough task, especially in the Chase Center, better known as "Ballhalla, " where the energy is frenetic and the crowd creates a hostile environment for opposing teams.

"It's been comforting having (our moms) at every game. Especially in a place like 'Ballhalla.' You're not gonna have very many people rooting for you, " Howard remarked. "So as long as you know you have that, that small support system is gonna be big." Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around the Dream have a secret support system at the WNBA Finals: Their point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.