Angel Reese Defended by Teammate After Tough Game

Following a challenging night for the Chicago Sky, one of Angel Reese’s teammates stepped up to defend her. The Sky faced a tough defeat against the dominant New York Liberty, who started their season with an impressive 9-0 record, while the Sky struggled at 2-6.

After the game, Reese found herself facing questions about the online criticism she often receives. During this moment, she became visibly emotional, prompting Ariel Atkins—who played the previous season with the Washington Mystics—to come to her aid.

Atkins expressed her admiration, saying, “Can I say anything? This is a 23-year-old young woman who endures so much every day, yet she still shows up. With all the questions about our team, I’m just thankful for basketball. The rest of that stuff is irrelevant.” She went on to emphasize the weight of the responsibility Reese carries, stating, “Her crown is heavy.” Atkins further pointed out that Reese is grounded and knows her worth.

The backdrop to Reese’s situation includes past competing moments with Caitlyn Clark and an experience of racism she faced from fans. It dates back to the 2023 national championship game, where Reese famously said “You can’t see me” after a play against Clark, which stirred controversy. Last season, they faced off again, leading to a moment of tension that ultimately prompted Reese to express feeling “unsafe” playing against Clark.

The WNBA even began looking into allegations surrounding the hate comments directed at Reese from fans over these incidents. For the current season, Reese has averaged 10.1 points and 12.1 rebounds.