Through the first month of the 30th WNBA season, the preseason trade sending Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream has proven to be a masterstroke for the organization. The Dream currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 7-3 record, bolstered by four dominant victories decided by 15+ points.
After a season-low 71-point performance against the Indiana Fever, Atlanta bounced back with their most explosive offensive outing of the year, dismantling the Washington Mystics 109-77. In that rout, Reese recorded 18 points and 17 rebounds, both season highs, solidifying her status as the league’s premier glass-cleaner.
Since entering the league, no player has averaged more rebounds per game (12.7) than Reese, and she currently ranks second in total rebounds since 2024, trailing only A’ja Wilson, despite having played 15 fewer games.
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson has to be escorted off court after losing control over officiating
A Heated Ejection: Police Escort and Tensions Boiling Over
Reese’s dominant performance against the Mystics was overshadowed by a chaotic sequence that resulted in Washington head coach Sydney Johnson being ejected and escorted from the floor by police. The confrontation ignited late in the third quarter after a foul was called against Mystics guard Alicia Flórez Getino during a drive by Reese.
Johnson vehemently disagreed with the officiating, storming off the bench area to engage in a heated, extended argument with the referees. Despite intervention from his assistant coaches and players trying to de-escalate the situation, Johnson’s continued pursuit of the officials led to two technical fouls and an automatic ejection.
As the arena tension peaked, three police officers stepped onto the court to escort the visibly frustrated coach toward the locker room. Reflecting on the incident post-game, Johnson took full responsibility for his actions, stating, “I lost my cool. Nothing more than that. The officials did what was appropriate, and that’s all I can say.”
Chasing History: Reese’s Return to Chicago
The spotlight now shifts to a highly anticipated homecoming as Reese prepares to face her former team, the Chicago Sky. This matchup offers more than just rivalry stakes; it provides a stage for Reese to etch her name further into basketball history. Across her professional career, Reese has recorded 56 double-doubles in 74 games.
She is one of only four basketball players in history (including the NBA) to achieve 50+ double-doubles in their first 75 appearances. Tonight in Chicago, she has the opportunity to tie Blake Griffin for the most double-doubles by any player in their first 75 professional games.