Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Chicago Sky Star Makes Angel Reese Admission After Loss on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 12:29 AM ET

The Chicago Sky may have nothing to play for at this point in the WNBA season. They came into Tuesday with an 8-25 record, and they don't own their own first-round draft pick for 2026, which means they cannot tank and hope to nab a star.

But they still brought back star forward Angel Reese on Tuesday after she had missed seven games due to a back injury. Although the Sky lost to the Seattle Storm, 94-88, Reese picked up right where she left off.

She hit nine of her 13 shot attempts to score 19 points, and she also added seven rebounds, four assists and one block in 26 minutes.

Chicago guard Ariel Atkins also scored 19 points, and she also contributed five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. She said that Reese has brought back qualities other than the defense, rebounding and shot-making ability she's known for.

Atkins Praised Reese's Intangibles

Atkins, per Karli Bell, said that Reese invigorates the team in addition to everything else she brings to the table.

"She brings energy," Atkins said. "She's versatile in what she does. We're extremely happy to have her back."

Atkins on Reese: "She brings energy. She's versatile in what she does. We're extremely happy to have her back."
— Karli Bell (@KarliBell33) August 20, 2025

Reese, who is in her second season out of LSU, has made a name for herself as someone who is chippy and not afraid to mix things up or even commit hard fouls. As a rookie last year, she instantly established herself as an elite rebounder and a strong defender, but this season, she has upped her offensive game.

She made just 39.1% of her field-goal attempts in 2024, but so far this year, she's at 45.6% from the field. Overall, she's averaging 14.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Now that she's back in the lineup, Chicago can look to build chemistry and cohesion as it tries to build something positive for the future.

The Sky Have Some Marquee Matchups Coming Up

On Thursday, Reese and her crew will take on Sabrina Ionescu and the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty on the road. They lost both of their previous matchups against the Liberty this season.

They will also host the Liberty in their final regular-season game on Sept. 11.

Chicago has three more contests remaining against the Las Vegas Aces, which means three more opportunities for Reese to go up against A'ja Wilson, a player who respects Reese's game.

On Friday, Sept. 5, Chicago will head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Fever. The hope is that by then, Caitlin Clark, who has been out for a month with a strained groin, will be back in action so that she and Reese, those two budding rivals, will do battle one more time this year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: