A High-Stakes Reunion
The matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky carried extra weight as Angel Reese returned to the arena she once called home. Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, who were drafted just four picks apart in the 2024 WNBA Draft, previously formed a formidable frontcourt duo for the Sky. However, an offseason trade sent Reese to Atlanta in exchange for future first-round draft picks, setting the stage for a tense showdown between former teammates.
Reese’s Dominance on the Glass
During Tuesday night's contest, Reese proved her impact on the game remained undiminished. By the third quarter, she had secured her eighth double-double of the season. The former LSU star finished the night with 17 points and 17 rebounds, shooting 5-of-12 from the field. Most notably, her 17 boards surpassed the collective rebounding effort of the Sky’s entire starting five, who combined for 16.
Cardoso, on the other side of the ball, contributed 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 blocks, but it was Reese’s performance that defined the game's momentum. Ultimately, the Atlanta Dream walked away with an 82-75 victory, improving their WNBA Commissioner's Cup record to 3-1.
A Competitive Affair
The game was a back-and-forth battle throughout the evening. While Atlanta saw strong contributions across the board—with all five starters scoring at least 14 points—the Sky remained competitive behind solid play from Natasha Cloud and Skylar Diggins. Rhyne Howard also reached a career milestone during the game, becoming the youngest player in league history to accumulate 2,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocks.
"The lead changed hands throughout the night, as the Sky hardly looked like a team that had dropped six of their last seven games," the game report noted.
Closing the Gap
The game remained tight until the fourth quarter, when Atlanta utilized a decisive 9-0 run to pull away, a streak punctuated by a wide-open layup from Reese. Despite desperate late-game efforts from Chicago's veterans, the Dream's momentum proved too much to overcome. Reese’s homecoming was marked not only by a warm reception from the fans at Wintrust Arena but by a commanding display of athleticism that reminded spectators exactly why she remains one of the league's most effective rebounders.