Angel Reese Shines in Chicago Sky’s Battle Against Connecticut Sun
By: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau
The Chicago Sky fought against the league-leading Connecticut Sun in a fierce contest among a team of the future, and a team of the present last night, with young rookie supertar Angel Reese delivering a standout performance despite the Sky falling short, 83-75.
“Angel Reese (#5) holds the ball during a game against the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena on June 12, 2024. Reese’s standout performance included a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds.”
Angel Reese’s Breakthrough Performance
Angel Reese continues to shine and develop by the game. Known for her tenacious rebounding prowess, Reese showcased her offensive skills as well against the top team in the WNBA, tying for a game-high 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while also shooting 80% from the floor. The performance marked her fifth double-double of the season and her fourth in a row.
Game Recap
The Sky hung in throughout the game with the Connecticut Sun who are destined for another deep playoff run, for three quarters, showcasing their resilience and potential. Despite missing key player Elizabeth Williams due to a recent knee injury, Chicago managed to stay competitive.
However, it was the Sun who’s experience and depth shone brightest in the final frame. The newly named Olympian Alyssa Thomas led the way, and alongside her was DeWanna Bonner. Thomas hit a clutch jumper with just over a minute left to push the lead to eight, sealing the win for the Sun.
“DeWanna Bonner (#24) shoots a jumper over Kamilla Cardoso (#10) of the Chicago Sky during their game at Wintrust Arena on June 12, 2024. Bonner’s performance helped the Connecticut Sun secure an 83-75 victory.”
Takeaways from the Game
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Team Effort and Identity: The Sky demonstrated that they are greater than the sum of their parts. Despite lacking a true superstar, they held their own against a formidable Sun team. “When we take those little pieces and combine it together, we’re stronger in that aspect because you don’t know where to attack at any night,” said Sky forward Izzy Harrison.
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Shooting Woes: Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon is exploring all avenues to solve the Sky’s shooting funk. Players like sharpshooter Marina Mabrey and point guard Dana Evans showed signs of breaking out of their slumps, with Mabrey hitting multiple three-pointers and Evans finding her midrange shot. Forward, Izzy Harrison also contributed from beyond the arc, adding a new dimension to her game.
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Attention to Details: “Details are exactly what I talked to the team about at the end of the game,” Weatherspoon said. “Paying attention to details. The execution of the play that’s drawn up. Execute the play. We can’t go away from it. We have to understand the smallest details matter in this game. We have to correct that mess immediately.”
Kamilla Cardoso also echoed this sentiment: “I gotta go out there and I gotta make layups. Executing [was the difference in the fourth quarter], making sure we were paying attention to the little details.”
Defense and Execution
The fourth quarter proved costly again for Chicago, with the Sun opening the final frame on a 10-3 run. “Our defense must be a little more active,” Weatherspoon emphasized. “We can’t allow them to get to where they want to get to, get into the painted area. They’re pretty good when they’re in the paint. Then, offensively, we must be able to read better. See what’s happening to us and then run the right play.”
“Angel Reese (#5) looks at the crowd during a game against the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena on June 12, 2024. Reese’s standout performance included a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds.”
Looking Forward
Despite the loss, the Sky showed promise and potential. Reese’s performance was a bright spot, demonstrating her growth and versatility.
The team now looks to build on this and focus on playing a complete game. With continued hard work and improvement, the Sky aim to put it all together and turn close contests into victories. The next challenge awaits as they prepare to face the Washington Mystics.
