Angel Reese declares Chicago Sky 'best young core in the league' after upset of Minnesota Lynx

For the first time this year, the Chicago Sky defeated a team over .500. They did so by taking down the best team in the WNBA with an 87-81 victory over the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena.

Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso helped lead the charge, each recording a double-double. In fact, Reese saw Saturday’s performance as a statement.

The former LSU star declared the sky the WNBA’s “best young core,” likely alluding to an ESPN article released last month on that topic. The Sky came in as the No. 7-ranked core in the league, though the trio of Reese, Cardoso and Hailey Van Lith were listed as players to build around. To Reese, though, Chicago proved it should be at the top.

“Somebody said we wasn’t the best young core in the league. I think we’re the best young core in the league, for sure. Hands down,” Reese told Angel Gray on the ABC broadcast. “The Skyscrapers, we’re doing it every single night. I’m really proud of everybody, including [Elizabeth Williams]. E-Will comes in and does what she does. I’m just super happy for the team.”

Reese recorded her eighth straight double-double with Saturday’s victory as she totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds. Cardoso – in her second straight game back in Chicago following her stint with the Brazilian National Team – had 17 points and a game-high 15 boards.

But Ariel Atkins was the top scorer in the victory, dropping 27 points. She hit some big shots down the stretch, and Reese sees a player finding her stride with her new team. Of course, that includes on the defensive end of the floor.

“She’s tough,” Reese said. “And people slept on her, people kept saying she was washed. She shows up every single night and put on. Every bucket was tough. … I’m just really happy for her. She’s getting her groove. That’s just not offensively – that’s defensively, too.

“You’ve got to know, this is a two-way player. She’s been on defensive teams. I’m super happy to have her. Dubs in the chat.”

With the victory, the Sky improve to 7-13 overall this season while also handing the Lynx their fourth loss. The two teams will square off again on Monday, staying in Chicago at Wintrust Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET.