Ariel Atkins Defends Angel Reese from Criticism on Video, Giannis Applauds Sky Guard

Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins is asking reporters to focus on Angel Reese's basketball rather than her popularity off the court.

Atkins' response came after Reese was asked whether her performance would send a message to her online critics in a postgame press conference following Tuesday's 85-66 loss to the New York Liberty.

"This is a 23-year-old kid. And the amount of crap that she gets on the day to day, and she still shows up," Atkins said. "So 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.

"That's a 23-year-old kid who handles herself with grace. Her crown is heavy. So whatever else y'all want to 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."

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo praised Atkins' defense of her teammate:

Reese also expressed her appreciation of Atkins' defense in the press conference.

"I have bad days. I haven't been playing well at all. And I can sit here and just mope around, and point the finger, but it's been me. And I take accountability. I come in every day and try to be better than the next and better than the last," Reese told reporters. "And I know my teammates trust me. I know they have my back. Ariel has my back for everything. And I love being part of a team that I know trusts me and trusts my work."

When initially asked about "what kind of messages" her performance in the loss might send to people posting negatively about her, Reese said: "I obviously don't worry about what's going on online. I get so much love in person. I haven't ever had a negative encounter in person, ever. And I've been going through this for three years. ... People online are behind a keyboard for a reason."

Reese led the Sky with a season-high 17 points and 11 rebounds to mark her 30th career double-double on Tuesday night, making her the fastest player in WNBA history to reach the milestone.

She was also assessed a foul, which was later upgraded to a flagrant-1, following a hard collision with Leonie Fiebich in the third quarter of Tuesday's loss.

The Sky are looking to turn their 2025 season around after falling to 11th in the WNBA with a 2-6 record.

Reese has so far vacillated from game to game between double-double and single-digit point totals this season. The second-year WNBA star will look to build on the momentum from her performance against the Liberty when the Sky return to action with a Friday night road game against the Atlanta Dream.