Angel Reese Dominates the Glass as Atlanta Dream Defeat Chicago Sky

CHICAGO — Long before tipoff, some of the loudest cheers inside Wintrust Arena weren't for a member of the Chicago Sky.

They were for Angel Reese.

Fans wearing both Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream jerseys filled the lower bowl. Every mention of Reese drew a reaction. Every rebound earned applause. For much of the night, the former face of the franchise remained one of the most popular players in the building. By the end of the night, the Sky were reminded why.

Reese finished with 17 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and two steals in Atlanta's 82-75 victory over Chicago on Tuesday night. Her stat line was impressive, but the more telling numbers were Atlanta's 45-30 rebounding advantage and 17-1 edge in second-chance points. For a Sky team that has struggled on the glass throughout the season, the game served as a reminder that replacing the league's best rebounder is easier said than done.

The Dream did not win because they shot the ball particularly well. Atlanta connected on just 19.2 percent of its three-point attempts and trailed 42-39 at halftime after Chicago shot efficiently from beyond the arc. Instead, Atlanta won by controlling possessions. The Dream collected 12 offensive rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions and generating extra opportunities. Reese alone grabbed five offensive boards and seemed to be involved in nearly every momentum-shifting sequence during the second half.

"It was just another basketball game," Reese said afterward. "I have a lot of love for Chicago because I did have a great time here. The fans have still embraced me. So many people still have Chicago jerseys of mine and some Atlanta jerseys, and they show a lot of support."

CHICAGO, IL - Angel Reese drives the ball up the court vs Chicago Sky, image via Atlanta Dream

Tuesday marked Reese's second return to Wintrust Arena since being traded to Atlanta in April. During the Dream's preseason visit, the organization honored Reese with a tribute video. No tribute video was shown Tuesday night, a decision that became known to the public prior to tipoff. Still, the crowd's support for Reese was evident throughout the evening.

While Reese's return was the storyline entering the game, Atlanta's balanced starting unit ultimately delivered the win. All five Dream starters scored in double figures, led by Reese and Rhyne Howard's 17 points. Howard also reached a historic milestone, surpassing 2,500 career points to become the youngest player in WNBA history to record 2,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocks. Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore are the only other players to achieve the feat at a comparable age.

Naz Hillmon added a season-high 16 points on 50 percent shooting, including three made three-pointers, while Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada each finished with 14 points. Canada's six assists helped steady an offense that struggled from deep, and the Dream's starting lineup of Canada, Gray, Howard, Hillmon and Reese improved to 8-2 this season.

The game remained tight entering the fourth quarter before Atlanta separated itself through hustle plays and extra possessions. After Natasha Cloud cut the Dream lead to 71-70 with just over three minutes remaining, Hillmon missed a three-pointer on Atlanta's next possession. Reese secured the offensive rebound, keeping the possession alive before finding Hillmon cutting to the basket for a layup. Moments later, Hillmon knocked down a three-pointer to extend Atlanta's advantage to six.

The Dream continued to capitalize on extra opportunities. Gray converted a late layup after another Reese offensive rebound extended the possession, helping Atlanta create enough separation to close out the victory.

The Dream won the possession battle, and the scoreboard followed.

"We had to win possessions," Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. "They shot better than us, so we had to find another way."

That approach defined the game. Atlanta outrebounded Chicago by 15, generated 17 second-chance points and consistently turned missed shots into opportunities. The Sky, meanwhile, managed just one second-chance point all night.

The Dream improved to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in Commissioner's Cup play, helping raise the organization's total contribution to The King Center to $10,000. For Howard, it was another milestone night. For Reese, it was another double-double. For Atlanta, it was another win built on rebounding, physicality and extra possessions.

And for the Sky, it was a reminder that replacing points is one thing. Replacing the league's best rebounder is another.

The Final Cut

The Dream continue to find new ways to win.

On a night when the three-point shot wasn’t falling and Chicago shot the ball better for stretches of the game, Atlanta leaned on physicality, rebounding, and relentless effort. Those traits travel, and they tend to hold up when games get tight.

Angel Reese’s return to Chicago brought plenty of emotion, but the game ultimately reinforced something both teams already knew. Rebounds are more than statistics. They are extra possessions, extra opportunities, and often the difference between winning and losing.

On Tuesday night, Atlanta owned those opportunities. And because of it, they owned the game.