Angel Reese made her grand return to Chicago and Wintrust Arena last night, June 9, for her first regular-season game against her former team. It was a matchup that many W fans were eager to see, considering Reese’s exit from the Chicago Sky came after she issued a blunt warning to the Windy City team’s front office in the summer of 2025. While Reese’s new team, the Atlanta Dream, traded leads with the Sky back-and-forth last night, the Georgia-based WNBA team pulled away with the win in the 4th quarter, extending their record to 8-3.
Angel Reese Made Her Mark During The Atlanta Dream’s First Regular Season Matchup Against The Chicago Sky
Another double-double to add to Angel's résumé!
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) June 10, 2026
That's why she's your @albertapp Player of the Game! pic.twitter.com/1iyywmYhYq
While Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky at No. 7 in 2024, she was on the court last night in a different jersey. The LSU sensation faced off against her former team and teammates, including 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso, in a thrilling contest that ended with a Dream victory.
Reese had 17 points and 17 rebounds to finish the night, per ESPN, while her teammate, Naz Hillmon, finished with 16 points. All-Star Rhyne Howard added 17 points to the scoreboard, while Jordin Canada and Allisha Gray had 14 points apiece.
Reese’s performance gave the 24-year-old her 57th career double-double—the most through 75 games in WNBA history. She also tied Blake Griffin for the most double-doubles through a player’s first 75 career games across the WNBA and NBA.
Angel Reese Wasn’t Nervous About Returning To Chicago To Face Her Former Team
During the Atlanta Dream’s post-game conference, Reese spoke with the media about her attitude and mindset as she returns to Chicago and Wintrust Arena. “It’s just another basketball game,” she said.
“I have a lot of love for Chicago because I did have a great time here,” she added.
Don’t forget, Reese was traded to the Dream in April 2026, per The Blast. Chicago’s general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, released a statement after the transaction, sharing more information. “This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties,” he said, adding that the team was “thankful for [Reese’s] many important contributions to this league and this game.”
Also during the game, Reese made her second three-point shot of the season—something she’s been working on with head coach Karl Smesko.
“I’m just finding my flow, finding where I fit in,” said Reese. “The team makes it easy for me, because [there’s] so much talent around me. … So, shoutout to my teammates.”
Angel Reese Was Focused On Beating Chicago When She Returned To The Windy City For Her First Game Against Her Former Team
Some of Reese’s Atlanta teammates had positive remarks about her impact on their team and the game.
“She’s getting more and more confident,” said Hillmon. “Honestly, I see myself in her. It is different when that’s not something that you’re used to. But your coaches and your teammates are asking you to do it — not even ask you, telling you to do it, shoot the ball.”
Reese also finished the game with another record—the only player in Atlanta history to record consecutive 17-rebound games.
Smesko said the Maryland native had a “remarkable game,” adding that she is “relentless” on the glass. “I think she got five offensive rebounds, 17 and 17, something like that. That’s just a great game. Then, I really thought down the stretch, she just made some really big plays,” he continued.
Despite all of that, though, Reese’s only focus was on winning. “It doesn’t matter unless I get a win,” she told ESPN after the game in the clip above.
ESPN Analyst Calls Out ‘Unserious’ Chicago Sky
WNBA fans didn’t see Reese’s trade from Chicago coming until after she called out the organization in the summer of 2025. Many, including WNBA executives, said her critique of the team’s leadership was fair; however, her comments were clearly too much for Sky owner Michael Alter and GM Pagliocca to handle.
ESPN analyst Andraya Carter spoke about Reese’s past comments during last night’s broadcast and sided with the superstar. “There have been so many instances where I feel like Chicago is an unserious organization,” she said.
Carter went on to blast owner Alter, mentioning the other Chicago Sky stars before Reese, who begged to be released from the team. “There are so many things that just don’t sit right with me with the Chicago Sky, and I think it’s bigger than these … stars [wanting to leave],” she continued.
Reese Is Officially Parting Ways With Chicago
According to a previous report from The Blast, Reese is officially saying goodbye to Chicago as she lists her Lemont, Illinois, home for $1.45 million. The 3,600-square-foot property comes with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, an office and entertainment room, a massive backyard, and much more. Reese originally purchased the home for $1.28 million in April 2025.