Angel Reese Posts Double-Double as Hailey Van Lith, Sky Lose to Valkyries

Angel Reese's ninth double-double of the season wasn't enough to lead the Chicago Sky to victory against the surging Golden State Valkyries on Saturday night.

Reese finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds as the Sky conceded an 83-78 loss to the Valkyries.

The No. 7 pick of the 2024 WNBA draft initially got off to a slow start to Saturday's first half.

After getting called for an early flagrant foul on Kayla Thornton, Reese went 1-for-5 from the field and missed one three-point attempt for two points through two quarters.

She wasn't the only Chicago player struggling to shoot through two quarters. The Sky headed into the break facing a five-point deficit to the Valkyries.

Reese got off to a stronger start to the third quarter by knocking down her first triple of the game.

Late in the fourth, Reese hauled in a defensive rebound and scored to help get the Sky make a late push to get within four points of the Valkyries.

Reese finished the game having shot 7-for-16 from the field, 1-for-2 from deep and 2-for-2 from the foul line.

She pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds while committing three turnovers in the loss.

Ariel Atkins led the Sky with 20 points in the defeat, while Kia Nurse posted 17 points off the bench. Hailey Van Lith recorded five points on 1-for-3 shooting from the field.

The Sky and the WNBA's newest franchise are trending in opposite directions so far this season. Chicago (4-11) has lost seven of its last nine games, while Golden State (8-7) has won seven of its last nine.

Sky head coach Tyler Marsh will need to help his team rebound quickly before they take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.