Chicago Sky's Ariel Atkins Defends Angel Reese Amid Criticism After Loss

Angel Reese, a rising star for the Chicago Sky, has faced intense personal scrutiny and criticism on social media despite her strong performances on the court, including becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 30 career double-doubles. After a recent loss to the New York Liberty, Reese was asked about the online criticism, to which she responded that she focuses on the support she receives in person and trusts her teammates and coaches. Her teammate Ariel Atkins passionately defended Reese during the post-game press conference, emphasizing the heavy burden Reese carries as a 23-year-old and urging media to focus on basketball rather than irrelevant personal critiques. Atkins highlighted Reese's grace and resilience, noting that Reese must build a protective wall due to the harsh treatment she receives, not only because of her appearance but also her demeanor. The defense from Atkins moved Reese to tears and drew attention to the ongoing social-media toxicity linked to a long-standing rivalry and alleged, though unverified, racist abuse. Reese expressed gratitude for Atkins' support, underscoring the strong bonds within the Sky team amid their challenging 2-6 season start.