The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese (Center), Kamilla Cardoso (Left), and Ariel Atkins (not pictured) propelled their team to a win over the Minnesota Lynx (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback).
Saturday afternoon wasn’t just another game for Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.
With the city celebrating her being the cover athlete for the NBA 2k26 WNBA Edition, the powerhouse forward gave Sky fans another reason to give her a standing ovation, delivering 19 points and 11 rebounds in the Sky’s 87-81 victory over the Minnesota Lynx.
“In the first quarter, I felt like I was at the blacktop,” Reese said. “I just felt like I was coming down woo woo woo woo. And I was like Ight bet I’m at the blacktop right now.”
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Reese backed it up with her eighth consecutive double-double in front of a loud home crowd that wore the “2K26” shirts in her honor.
This win wasn’t just about scoring. It was about crashing the boards.
Chicago out-rebounded Minnesota 45 to 28, thanks in part to Kamilla Cardoso’s season high of 15 boards. Cardoso also contributed 17 points. Ariel Atkins also added a tough 27, hitting clutch mid-range shots throughout the game, keeping Chicago ahead even amidst Minnesota’s multiple second-half runs.
“Yeah, I think a big part of it is obviously we worked on it in practice,” Atkins said about the team’s improved spacing. “We’re really locked in on what we’re trying to get. And honestly, a big part of that, too, is us making shots now…making the right reads and trusting each other, but also trusting in ourselves.”
who else loved AA’s half time buzzer beater?? #skytown pic.twitter.com/9y6Tux4w17
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 12, 2025
Chicago started off hot, building a 29-15 first-quarter lead fueled by aggressive defense, high-low action from Reese and Cardoso, and sharp shooting from Rachel Banham, who knocked down a couple of threes. The Sky shot 46.1% from the field and controlled the tempo early, which left Minnesota playing catch-up the whole game.
Despite being outshot from three and committing 19 turnovers, Chicago’s second-chance points kept them in control of the game. Superstar Napheesa Collier scored 26 for the Lynx, but it just wasn’t enough.
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh credited his team’s win to preparation and aggression. “Angel really set the tone early. Angel was aggressive, and I’ve said it before — when she’s aggressive, we’re a better basketball team because of it.”
And that aggression paid off.
With five minutes left, a technical foul on Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve led to a 3-point swing, putting the Sky ahead 80-73. A late floater by Banham, a huge block by Cardoso on a Courtney Williams three-point attempt, and two free throws made by Cardoso sealed the win.
After the game, Reese reflected on the groove she’s been in the past eight games. “I just trust my work. I put the work in every single day… I just felt really comfortable. Those are shots that I take in practice all the time…and I know when I’m efficient, and when I can do things on the court offensively and defensively, it really helps the team get a win.”
Saturday was a statement win for the Sky, as they continue to climb up the standings and grow as a team. Coming up, the Sky will face the Lynx again on July 14, as they look to close out this matchup with two wins against the WNBA’s best team by record.
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