CHICAGO — Twenty-three days ago, Angel Reese was still a member of the Chicago Sky. On Wednesday night, she was playing against them—and the crowd couldn't get enough.
Most preseason games pass without much notice, but Wintrust Arena was buzzing for Reese's return to Chicago, which also served as her unofficial debut with the Atlanta Dream after a stunning April 6 trade. Reese put up eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals in just 13 minutes of action, helping the Dream secure an 87-78 victory. But the final score was almost secondary.
This night was about closure. Sky fans came out in force to honor their former star, and Reese was clearly moved by the reception. "Angel, when you're back in Chicago we love you!" read one fan's sign. Others held up similar messages, while dozens of Reese jerseys and shirts dotted the stands. One young fan even sported a Washington Wizards jersey with Reese's brother Julian's number 15.
During the first timeout, the Sky played a tribute video for Reese on the jumbotron, and the arena erupted in a standing ovation. "Just being grateful for my opportunities that I did have here my first two years, a lot of positives," Reese said after the game. "The fans came out and showed a lot of support for both teams. I'm really happy and grateful, and happy to be here with Atlanta now."
After the final buzzer, Reese shared a warm hug with Sky coach Tyler Marsh on the court before waving to the crowd as she headed to the visitors' locker room for the first time. "It was honestly the first time seeing her since the trade, so I was just telling her to 'go be great, go kill it,'" Marsh said. "She's with a championship-caliber team, so you saw some of her talents and things that she can do with them tonight. She fits in perfectly and she'll be great."
Reese, selected seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, spent her first two seasons with the Sky. She quickly became the league's top rebounder—her 13.1 boards per game as a rookie still stands as a WNBA record—and the face of the franchise. While she earned All-Star honors in both seasons, the Sky's combined record left much to be desired. Now, with a fresh start in Atlanta, Reese is ready to turn the page and chase something bigger.