Allen scores 27, Reese has 13th double-double this season as Sky beat Wings 87-76
Chalk it up to the presence of a 3-point legend, and the Chicago Sky caught fire from beyond the arc.
On the same night as former guard Allie Quigley’s No. 14 rose to the rafters as the franchise’s first retired number, the Sky mirrored its all-time leader in 3s, knocking down 10 3-pointers in a 87-76 victory over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night Wintrust Arena. The Sky improved to 6-13 on the season and grabbed its third home win, this time in front of a sold-out crowd.
Sky forward Rebecca Allen led the long-range charge with five 3s, tying a career high as Chicago shot 47.6% from deep and 50.9% from the floor.
“I said after the game, I was like, ‘Definitely because it’s (Quigley’s) game tonight,’” Allen said. “It's always fun to hit a couple of shots. I really needed it for myself, but it’s her night. I’m so glad we could get a win to celebrate that, too.”
Allen led the Sky with 27 points, followed by Angel Reese with 15 points and 11 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season. The Sky held the Wings to 36% shooting from the field, including a 25% mark for All-Star guard and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers, who finished with 17 points.
“I know at the beginning of the season it didn’t look that way, that was not happening, but we made good adjustments,” Sky guard Rachel Banham said of Chicago’s defense. “We’re trying to take teams out of the 3-point line, force them to take tough (mid-ranges).”
The two teams stood tied at 35 points apiece in the dwindling minutes of the first half when Allen began her takeover. The nine-year veteran from Wangaratta, Australia, nailed a jumper, then impressed on the defensive end by blocking a Bueckers floater. Allen later connected on a 3 and another pullup jumper as the Sky closed the half on a 10-2 run for a 45-37 lead.
For Sky coach Tyler Marsh, his squad struggled with recovering when the opposition clicked on offense, but to see the same group flip the switch and become the scoring firepower felt like a step forward.
“I’m proud of our team for being able to maintain that mindset, that competitiveness, that toughness,” he said. “Today, we came out on the right side.”
A pair of Bueckers free throws in the third quarter handed the Wings a 55-54 lead, their first of the second half, but the Sky responded yet again. Ignited by a 24-foot 3 from Banham, Chicago embarked on a 13-2 run featuring 8 points from Allen and entered the fourth quarter with a 9-point advantage.
The matchup also marked Reese’s first home contest after a streak of accomplishments and accolades. The forward from LSU entered the game with six straight games with at least 10 points and 15 rebounds — the longest streak in league history — as well as her second All-Star nomination, first signature shoe, and her debut on the cover of this year’s NBA 2K video game series.
Talking with reporters before the game, Reese said she’s grateful for the position she’s in after growing up in Baltimore alongside her mom and younger brother. She plays the game she loves for her job and balances her gratitude with a constant determination and confidence.
“There’s not a cover I can’t be on,” Reese said, acknowledging her appearance on the cover of Vogue magazine leading up to the 2024 WNBA Draft. “I put my mind on everything that I want to do. My vision board is full of all these things. Just knowing that you can do anything … Just don’t have any limitations to yourself.”