Atlanta Dream Defeat Chicago Sky 84-78 in Emotional Return for Angel Reese

The Atlanta Dream edged the Chicago Sky 84-78 at Wintrust Arena on Tuesday in a high-stakes WNBA Commissioner's Cup clash. Angel Reese made a triumphant return to the Windy City, tallying 13 points and 11 rebounds in her first game against her former team. Kamilla Cardoso led the Sky with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a late Atlanta surge.

Reese’s return brought heightened emotions to a sold-out crowd in Chicago. The former Sky standout has quickly become a key piece for the Dream, averaging 13.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in 2026. Her performance tonight mirrored that stat line, as she battled for every rebound and drew fouls in the paint.

Chicago’s defense held its own early, thanks in part to Skylar Diggins and Natasha Cloud. Diggins recorded 16 points and 5.8 assists, while Cloud’s point-of-attack pressure disrupted Atlanta’s rhythm. But Atlanta’s depth and scoring punch proved too much in the fourth quarter.

Allisha Gray led the Dream with 21 points, continuing her season-long scoring dominance. Her ability to stretch the floor and create for teammates kept Chicago’s defense on its heels. Gray has averaged 21.1 points this season, making her one of the league’s most consistent scoring threats.

The game’s pivotal moment came with just under four minutes to play, when Reese converted a crucial and-1 to put Atlanta up by six. The Dream maintained the lead from that point, with their bench providing key contributions down the stretch.

Chicago’s 4-7 record keeps them on the fringe of the playoff conversation, while Atlanta’s 7-3 mark cements them as one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders. The loss puts more pressure on the Sky to find consistency in the Commissioner’s Cup group stage.

The Dream will look to carry this momentum into their next game on the road against the New York Liberty. The Sky aim to rebound at home against the Las Vegas Aces in a crucial matchup for their playoff positioning.

Both teams will have time to regroup before their next contests, but the intensity and stakes of Tuesday’s meeting will likely echo throughout the rest of the season.