Reese Shines in Chicago Return as Dream Defeat Sky 82-75

Angel Reese’s return to Chicago couldn’t have gone much better.

Playing in front of the fans she once called home, Reese delivered another dominant performance, recording her second consecutive 17-point, 17-rebound game to lead the Atlanta Dream to an 82-75 victory over the Chicago Sky Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena.

The win improves Atlanta to 8-3 on the season and 3-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play while raising $10,000 for the Dream’s charitable partner, The King Center.

For Reese, the emotions of returning to Chicago never overshadowed the task at hand.

“It was just another basketball game,” Reese said. “I have a lot of love for Chicago because I did have a great time here. The fans have still embraced me, and so many people still have Chicago jerseys of mine, and some Atlanta jerseys, and they show a lot of support. So, I do appreciate the city too.”

While Reese’s homecoming was one of the night’s biggest storylines, another Dream star was making history.

Rhyne Howard eclipsed 2,500 career points and became the youngest player in WNBA history to record 2,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocks. The accomplishment places Howard alongside WNBA legends Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore in the record books.

Howard finished with 17 points, five assists, and three steals while continuing to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

The Dream entered the night looking to bounce back from inconsistent perimeter shooting and once again found a way to win despite struggling from beyond the arc.

Atlanta shot just 19.2 percent from three-point range, connecting on only 5-of-26 attempts. Meanwhile, Chicago entered the game averaging 26.3 percent from deep but knocked down 5-of-8 three-pointers in the first half to build a 42-39 halftime advantage.

The difference came in the hustle categories.

The Dream dominated the glass, outrebounding Chicago 36-25 and turning 12 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points.

“They shot better than us, so we had to win possessions,” Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. “That’s how we did it today.”

Atlanta’s starting lineup once again delivered.

The group of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Angel Reese improved to 8-2 together this season.

Canada finished with 14 points and six assists while helping control the pace throughout the game.

Gray added 14 points and three steals, while Hillmon recorded a season-high 16 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and knocking down three three-pointers.

The Dream trailed by three at halftime but slowly began taking control in the second half.

Gray scored seven points in the third quarter while Reese dominated the boards, grabbing six rebounds during the period to help Atlanta erase the deficit.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the Dream had trimmed Chicago’s lead to a single point and positioned themselves for a late-game push.

Then came the pivotal moments.

With 3:07 remaining, Chicago’s Natasha Cloud converted a layup to cut Atlanta’s lead to just one point at 71-70.

On the next possession, Hillmon missed a three-pointer, but Reese fought for the offensive rebound to keep the possession alive.

Canada attacked off a Reese screen and found Reese in the lane. Instead of forcing a shot, Reese spotted Hillmon cutting toward the basket and delivered a perfectly timed bounce pass.

Hillmon converted the layup to push Atlanta’s lead to 73-70.

“Naz was doing Naz things,” Reese said afterward.

The next sequence may have been the turning point of the game.

Chicago’s Elizabeth Williams committed an offensive foul, giving Atlanta another possession. The Dream immediately capitalized when Hillmon knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead to six.

Then came perhaps the biggest play of the night.

Skylar Diggins appeared to cut Atlanta’s lead to four with a floating jumper in the lane. However, officials reviewed the play and determined Diggins had committed an offensive foul after making contact with Canada.

The basket was waved off, restoring Atlanta’s six-point lead and completely shifting momentum.

Moments later, Reese grabbed another offensive rebound, extending the possession before Gray converted a layup that pushed the lead to eight with just over a minute remaining.

From there, Atlanta closed things out.

“There were so many people contributing to it,” Smesko said. “When we got to the point that we had to make plays, everybody on the team stepped up and made plays.”

Reese once again led the way.

Her 17 points and 17 rebounds marked her eighth double-double of the season and the 57th double-double of her career. The performance also made her the first player in Atlanta Dream history to record back-to-back games with 17 rebounds.

She continues adding to one of the most remarkable starts to a career in WNBA history.

The Dream also excelled at the free-throw line, knocking down 15-of-16 attempts for an impressive 93.8 percent.

Every starter finished in double figures, showcasing the balance that has become a strength for Atlanta throughout the season.

The victory gives the Dream momentum heading into one of their biggest tests of the season.

Next up, the Dream look to strengthen their position in the Commissioner’s Cup standings, when the team return home Thursday night to host the New York Liberty at Gateway Center Arena. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET