Image Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Angel Reese’s Teammate Comes in Her Defense After Chicago Sky Suffer Sixth Defeat of the Season

Angel Reese's teammate comes in her defense following another disappointing loss.

Image Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Angel Reese’s teammate and Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins came in the support of the former after their team suffered the sixth defeat of the season. The Sky suffered their second straight loss as they went down to the New York Liberty. The reigning champions handed an 85-66 defeat to the side, who have been able to record only two victories so far in this season.

Angel Reese, who finished the previous season with the highest rebound average, has had a few disappointing games in the current season. Though she led the side with 17 points during Tuesday’s loss, Reese still found herself at the receiving end of criticism. However, her teammate, Ariel Atkins came in defense of her and said that the former LSU has been receiving hate daily, still she shows up.

The 28-year-old said, “This is a 23-year-old kid and the amount of crap that she gets on day-to-day, and she still shows up. Whatever questions y’all got about our team, basketball-wise we appreciate it, but all the other nonsense, it’s irrelevant. We’re here to play basketball and do what we do. We’re having a hard time right now at the end of the day.”

She added, “Her crown is heavy, so whatever else y’all wanna come at her for the way that she acts, she has to build a wall. She has to have a wall. Because if she doesn’t, people will break her down. Not only because of the way that she looks, but because of the way she carries herself.”

Love my Vet man🥺💗 https://t.co/afXWGPFjXf
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) June 11, 2025

Angel Reese in WNBA 2025

Reese, a former LSU star, was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She made a name for herself right from her debut game, where she posted 12 points and eight rebounds, but the Sky fell to the Dallas Wings 87-79. She finished the year with an average of 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Having come off a remarkable season, Reese was expected to continue the same prowess in her sophomore year as well.

Though she got off to a good start, and became the fastest player to record 500 points and 500 rebounds in just 38 games, Reese seemed to be a bit lacking as compared to her rookie year. In her second game of the season, the 23-year-old recorded her career lowest and came up with just two points, 12 rebounds and one assist as the Sky fell to the Liberty 99-74.

Reese has scored in single digits in three of eight games this season. Apart from her lowest score, it includes six points against the Wings and four points against the Fever.

She will be back in action on Friday, June 13 as Chicago locks horns with the Atlanta Dream.

Angel Reese

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.