Chicago, IL — Ariel Atkins poured in 27 points, while Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso each recorded double-doubles to lead the Chicago Sky to an 87-81 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday afternoon.
Reese notched her eighth consecutive double-double — and 14th of the season — with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Cardoso added 17 points and a career-best 15 boards for Chicago (7-13), which earned consecutive wins for just the second time this season.
Veteran guard Rachel Banham provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc.
Minnesota (18-4), one of the league’s top teams, found itself in a rare tight battle. After Courtney Williams hit two free throws to pull the Lynx within 75-73, Cardoso responded by sinking two from the line. A technical foul on Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve led to another free throw from Banham, followed by a baseline jumper from Michaela Onyenwere to stretch the Sky’s lead to 80-73 with five minutes left.
The Lynx made one last push as Napheesa Collier drained a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 82-79 with 2:42 remaining. But Atkins answered with a pull-up jumper, and Minnesota never got closer.
Collier had another stellar outing with 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks. Kayla McBride scored 17 points, while Williams added 13. However, the pair combined to shoot just 34% from the floor (11-for-32).
Collier’s streak of 54 consecutive made free throws — a franchise record — ended late in the third quarter when she missed the first of two attempts.
The loss marked the first time this season that Minnesota has dropped two of its last three games.
