The Chicago Sky secured a key 97-86 victory against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, boosted by Angel Reese’s WNBA dominant performance. This win came during the third and final meeting between the two teams in the 2025 WNBA season, giving Chicago a chance to improve their playoff position.
Angel Reese Shines with Impressive Stats Against Sparks
Angel Reese, the 2024 All-Star forward, led the Sky with 18 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and four steals in Tuesday’s victory over the Sparks. Kamilla Cardoso, another promising second-year player, contributed a career-high 27 points, helping Chicago pull ahead. Reese’s consistency was evident again in Friday’s matchup versus the Golden State Valkyries, where she notched 17 points and 18 rebounds, although the Sky narrowly lost 83-78.
The team continued their West Coast road trip with a rematch against Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. Early in the first quarter on Sunday, Reese made a standout reverse layup, slipping past three-time All-Star Dearica Hamby, a move that quickly caught the league’s attention.
Tough reverse lay for Angel Reese! She’s locked in EARLY ✨.
—WNBA social media
During the first quarter of Sunday’s game, Reese added six points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block. She currently averages 11.7 points and leads the league with 12.3 rebounds per contest this season. Her rookie year remains impressive, having averaged 13.6 points and setting a WNBA record with 13.1 rebounds per game, honors that earned her All-Star and All-Rookie nods in 2024.
Chicago Sky’s Playoff Hopes Improve with Latest Win
Prior to this victory, the Sky held a 4-11 record and were sitting in 12th place in the WNBA standings, trailing the playoff teams. With the Dallas Wings’ recent win against the Washington Mystics, the Sky’s position became even more precarious. However, Sunday’s win elevated Chicago to 10th place, now only 2.5 games behind a playoff berth, signaling a possible turnaround as the season moves forward.
Upcoming Challenges and Team Adjustments
Chicago’s recent struggles led to changes within the team following their 11th loss, aiming to recalibrate performance as the playoff push intensifies. The rematch success against the Sparks marks a hopeful sign of progress. Attention also turns toward significant league moments, including tributes to veterans like Candace Parker, with the Sky’s coach making notable remarks ahead of her jersey retirement.
As Angel Reese continues her dominant play and the Sky rebuild momentum on their West Coast road trip, the team’s focus will be on climbing the standings and securing a spot in the postseason. Their ability to sustain these efforts could define their 2025 campaign.