Angel Reese Struggles as Chicago Sky Fall to Atlanta Dream in Third Straight Loss

The Chicago Sky’s rough patch deepened Friday night, falling 88-70 to the Atlanta Dream, marking their third consecutive loss and seventh this season. Angel Reese, the former LSU standout, faced another tough outing despite flashes of promise, as the Dream’s Rhyne Howard lit up the scoreboard with a season-high 36 points, including a career-best nine three-pointers.

Reese started slow, going 0-for-2 in the first quarter but grabbing five rebounds. She found some rhythm in the second, dropping eight points on 3-for-4 shooting. Yet, the Sky unraveled in the third as Atlanta surged ahead. Reese closed with 12 points and nine rebounds, solid but below the impact expected from the team’s star. Her season stats reflect the struggle: a dip to 10.3 points per game from last year’s 13.6, a lower field goal percentage, and a slight uptick in turnovers.

Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca didn’t mince words earlier this week, stressing the need for more from Reese. “She’s our best shot at versatility,” he told reporters, acknowledging her highs and lows. Head coach Tyler Marsh echoed the sentiment, praising the team’s defensive effort in spurts but lamenting their inability to sustain it for a full 40 minutes. “We’ve got to stop the bleeding,” Marsh said post-game.

The Sky’s woes aren’t just Reese’s. A new coach and revamped roster have exposed growing pains, leaving Chicago languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 2-7 record. Pagliocca admitted the team’s start has been “unexpected” and “disappointing,” given the high hopes pinned on this season’s roster moves.

Next up, the Sky head to Connecticut to face the Sun on Sunday, hoping to snap their skid. With a long season ahead, there’s time to turn things around—but the clock’s ticking.