Angel Reese puts the Chicago Sky face-to-face with what they let go: now she's in the WNBA Finals
The star joined Atlanta in April and is now on the verge of competing for a championship.
What a turnaround for Angel Reese! Just a few months ago, her WNBA future took a major turn when she was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream . The move opened a new chapter for both sides: Reese had to earn her place in a different locker room, adapt to a new team dynamic and prove what she could bring beyond Chicago. The Sky, meanwhile, were counting on the trade to give them better tools to build a competitive roster. But now, with Reese on the verge of reaching the WNBA Finals, that decision looks very different .
Chicago struggled in 2026 while Angel Reese thrived
The Sky finished the regular season with 16 wins and 28 losses , missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. While Chicago will have to wait to see whether its moves pay off in the long run, Atlanta has started seeing results with the player it acquired.
Reese rose to the challenge with an outstanding season. She averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, led the WNBA in rebounding and set league records with 521 rebounds and 32 double-doubles in a single season . Her impact also earned individual recognition: she was named Defensive Player of the Year , becoming the first player in Dream history to receive the award.
Her individual success translated into team results. Atlanta finished the regular season with a 30-14 record and advanced through the playoffs after sweeping the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty . In Game 3 of the semifinals, Reese scored 22 points to help secure the team's spot in the Finals, a stage the franchise had not reached since 2013.
Could the Chicago Sky regret trading Angel Reese?
It's hard to know whether the Chicago Sky regret letting Angel Reese go or whether they eventually will. What is clear, however, is that the forward is playing some of the best basketball of her career.
Her next challenge will come against the Golden State Valkyries in Game 1 of the Finals, scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026 .
