Atlanta’s Angel Reese adds two more points in a victory at Chicago. Photo by Jacob Nunez/Sportspage Magazine

Angel Reese would much prefer to wear the same-colored jersey as Kamilla Cardoso than have to face her in an opposing one. Reese was 0-2 while wearing the purple and gold at LSU as Cardoso sported the garnet and black of South Carolina. But after those two college wars they each wore Chicago Sky uniforms for their first two seasons in the WNBA. Fast forward to Tuesday and the two were on opposite sides again, following an offseason trade that sent Reese to Atlanta.

She returned to Chicago for her first regular season game back at the Windy City and got revenge.

Reese played a key role as Atlanta sprinted to the finish line with a late run to turn a close game throughout into an 82-75 victory over Cardoso and the Sky at Wintrust Arena. The two-time All-Star scored 17 points and hauled in 17 rebounds. Calm down Mebound Clowns, only 1 was from her own missed shot. Reese has now recorded 57 double-doubles in her first 75 games in the league. She continues to lead the WNBA averaging 12.2 rebounds per game in 2026. She played a significant part in Atlanta outscoring Chicago 48-26 on points in the paint, and 17-1 on second-chance points.

But Reese played down the Cardoso rivalry as well as the return to Chicago.

“It just felt like another game, just doing my job,” Reese said. “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. So, I do appreciate the city, too. I had two great years here and a lot of great things here and I’m still appreciative of it.”

Atlanta’s Naz Hillmon made a pair of key 3-pointers late to seal the victory. Photo by Jacob Nunez/Sportspage Magazine

Winners in four of their last five games, Atlanta improves to 8-3 on the season and 3-1 in Commissioner’s Cup games, while Chicago drops to 4-8. The Sky has lost six of their last eight games, are 1-5 at home this season, and stand at 1-3 in Commissioner’s Cup games.

Cardoso had the upper hand early on. The 6-7 center hit her first five shots and the Sky, notorious slow starters, held a 42-39 lead at the half. She finished with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting, and blocked four shots.

For 37 minutes the game could have gone either way. A cutting finger roll by Natasha Cloud drew Chicago to within 71-70 with 3:07 to play in the fourth quarter. Cloud kept things close for Chicago. Coming off the bench to pick up the pace, Cloud pumped in a game-high 18 points, hitting 4 of 7 shots from the field, but also making 9 of 10 free throws to keep the game in doubt throughout.

There were 15 lead changes, including 10 in a back-and-forth first half, as well as 13 ties.

But after Cloud’s bucket, the Sky didn’t score again until 54 seconds left. By then Atlanta had gone on a 9-0 run to win it going away.

“When it got to the point where we just had to make plays, everybody on the floor stepped up and made plays,” said Atlanta’s second-year head coach Karl Smesko.

Chicago’s Skylar Diggins scored 17 points in a loss to Atlanta. Photo by Jacob Nunez/Sportspage Magazine

The Dream proved it can win even if the outside shots aren’t falling. One of the top 3-point shooting teams in the league, Atlanta was off the mark as a team. The Dream shot just 19.2 percent (5-26) from outside. But Naz Hillmon, the 2025 Sixth Player of the Year, drilled a pair of them in Atlanta’s final run to put the game out of reach. Hillmon was 3 of 8 from long range, totaling 16 points to go along with six rebounds.

“That’s the thing about our team,” Hillmon said. “We always seem to find a way. We pride ourselves on figuring it out, whether it’s inside out or outside in, whatever is working that night.”

She said she felt Atlanta’s team defense down the stretch made the difference, “We weren’t really getting stops through the first 35 minutes. So. we just made sure we locked down, get some stops so that we could get out on our transition. Then we really executed out plays down the stretch as well.”

All five starters scored in double figures for the Dream. Rhyne Howard dumped in 17 points despite a dismal 1-for-10 from 3-point range. Her key contributions were five assists and three steals. She leads the WNBA in thefts averaging right at three per game.

Allisha Gray (6 of 11 shooting), and Jordin Canada (six assists) each tallied 14 points.

Skylar Diggins aided Chicago’s cause with 17 points, including 4-for-6 from distance.