Angel Reese returned to Chicago for her first WNBA action since being traded from the Sky to the Atlanta Dream.
Like most of the Dream’s starters, Reese played only the first half of Wednesday’s preseason game. She recorded 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in an 87-78 victory over the team that drafted her seventh overall out of LSU in 2024.
She shot only 2 of 7 from the field and 4 of 8 from the free-throw line. But she led the Dream in plus-minus with a plus-14 and didn’t commit a single turnover despite frequently bringing the ball up the court.
Wintrust Arena played a tribute video for Reese during the game’s first timeout, as captured by ESPN’s Kareem Copeland.
The Dream picked up where they left off last season, during which they shattered their single-season wins record and ranked tied for second in the league in 3-pointers made per game (9.6). Atlanta netted five triples in the first half against a Sky squad that’s far from full strength at the moment. Three of those 3s came from three-time All-Star Rhyne Howard. But the Dream also balanced their long-range barrage with a drive to reach the free-throw line.
That’s where Reese put the finishing touches on the team’s 16-0 second-quarter run that put Atlanta up 20 points, 43-23.
The Dream were in the driver’s seat on the road during their first preseason game after a head-turning offseason. In addition to dealing for Reese, Atlanta re-signed its five core players: Howard, fellow three-time All-Star guard Allisha Gray, two-time WNBA steals leader Jordin Canada, four-time All-Star forward Brionna Jones and reigning WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon.
Jones and Hillmon weren’t available for Wednesday’s exhibition. And the Dream began the second half with a new-look starting five, with only Sika Kone carrying over from the one that was on the floor for tip-off.
The Sky, who buckled down to trim their deficit to 13 before intermission, initially continued to roll with their starters.
That dichotomy started to make things interesting, as Chicago quickly built some momentum, in part inspired by a Rachel Banham 3, that its bench carried on.
Fighting to make the roster, former Louisville guard Sydney Taylor poured in 12 third-quarter points. Gabriela Jaquez, a national champion guard out of UCLA whom the Sky selected No. 5 overall in this year’s draft, completed an and-1 made possible by her cutting, catching and scoring inside.
Chicago made it a single-digit game in the quarter, entering the fourth trailing 64-58.
Taylor’s takeover kept going in the final frame. Not only did she polish off her 23-point outing, but she showcased some versatility, too.
Nearly midway through the quarter, she piloted the break, sending a pass to second-year guard Hailey Van Lith, who dished one more to set up rookie Tonie Morgan for a triple. The former Kentucky standout’s corner 3 made it a 73-69 game.
Atlanta never relinquished its lead, though. The Dream kept a grip on their advantage, picking up a win in their first preseason game of the year.
Reese: ‘I’m grateful for my time here in Chicago’
During Reese’s two seasons with the Sky, the team went 23-61. Notably, the Sky suspended her for part of a game last year after she publicly expressed her frustration with the franchise’s roster makeup.
Although questions swirled about Reese’s future in Chicago, she was prepared to return for the 2026 season. Reese was still under contract, after all. But, ultimately, the Sky and Reese mutually decided that a fresh start for both of them would be best, as chronicled by ESPN, which also reported that the Sky helped Reese land where she wanted to play.
Reese told reporters Wednesday before the exhibition that there’s “no love lost” between her and the organization, according to ESPN.
“Coming back to a familiar place feels great,” Reese said, per ESPN. “I have a home here still. So, it’s always good seeing Chicago. … So, I’m happy to be back and obviously be in a familiar place that I’ve done a lot of great things here.
“I’m still happy. I’m grateful for my time here in Chicago. I experienced a lot of great things, but I’m just happy to start this new journey. Being able to be with the Dream here. It feels awkward being in a different locker room when I’m so used to being in the other locker room. But I’m really grateful. I’m thankful, and I’m looking forward to this new start.”
