Angel Reese returned to Chicago for the first time since being traded to the Atlanta Dream in April, and she backed it up with a dominant double-double in an 82-75 victory over the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. The Dream improved to 8-3, the Sky fell to 4-8,
Angel Reese walked back into Chicago on Tuesday carrying a season-long kind of focus, the kind that comes from knowing exactly how much was riding on the moment. At Wintrust Arena, the Atlanta Dream did not just avoid the emotional noise around her return—they turned it into momentum.
Atlanta earned a 82-75 win over the Chicago Sky for their fourth victory in five outings. The Dream moved to 8-3, while the Sky dropped to 4-8. For Reese, it was her first time playing in Chicago since she was traded to Atlanta in April.
Reese’s impact was immediate and unapologetic. The hard-nosed forward—who has never been shy about letting her play speak—finished with 17 points. 17 rebounds. four assists. and two steals as the Dream took control of the night. She did it without letting the occasion break her rhythm, even as the game carried an obvious emotional charge.
Her return carried more than basketball meaning, though. Reese had forced her way out of the Sky after slamming the front office, citing a lack of vision and urgency to win. In April, the Sky received two first-round picks from the Dream in exchange for the former LSU standout.
After the game, Reese made it clear that the separation never erased what Chicago had meant during her two seasons there. In a video posted by Pop Base, she said she holds love for the city and that the fans—and the jerseys still showing up around town—made an impression.
“It’s just another basketball game. 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 they show a lot of support. So I do appreciate the city too,” Reese said.
“I had two great years here, I did a lot of great things here, and I’m still appreciative of it.”
On the court, Reese’s years with the Sky were built on production and pressure. She led the WNBA in rebounds during her two seasons in Chicago, became a two-time All-Star, and set multiple records. Still, the Sky failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Reese was excited to play in the Windy City after Chicago drafted her with the No. 7 pick in 2024. But after back-to-back years with a losing record. the competitiveness that drives her on the floor started colliding with the reality around the team. She felt disenchanted with where things were heading.
The numbers shifted with Tuesday’s result—Atlanta finding form while Chicago struggles—but the human story stayed the same: both sides are trying to move forward. Even with the trade and the fallout that came before it, Reese will always carry respect for the city that took a chance on her.
Angel Reese Chicago Sky Atlanta Dream WNBA Wintrust Arena 82-75 April trade Pop Base