Atkins scores 27, Reese and Cardoso record double-doubles as Sky beats Lynx 87-81

CHICAGO, IL — Ariel Atkins led the way with 27 points, and both Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso posted double-doubles as the Chicago Sky secured an 87-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday.

Reese continued her dominant rookie campaign with 19 points and 11 rebounds, marking her eighth straight double-double and 14th of the season. Cardoso added 17 points and a career-best 15 rebounds, while Rachel Banham contributed 12 points off the bench, hitting three shots from beyond the arc.

The game tightened in the fourth quarter when Minnesota’s Courtney Williams sank two free throws to close the gap to 75-73. But Cardoso responded with a pair of foul shots, and Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was assessed a technical foul. Banham knocked down the free throw, and Michaela Onyenwere hit a tough baseline jumper to push Chicago’s lead back to seven.

Minnesota made one last push as Napheesa Collier drained a 3-pointer to bring the Lynx within three, 82-79, with 2:42 remaining. Atkins answered quickly with a pull-up jumper, and the Sky never looked back.

With the win, Chicago (7-13) has now won consecutive games for just the second time this season. They are 1-10 against teams at or above .500.

Collier led Minnesota (18-4) with 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks. Kayla McBride added 17 points, while Williams chipped in 13, though the duo combined to shoot just 34% from the floor (11 of 32).

Collier also saw her franchise-record streak of 54 made free throws end when she missed one late in the third quarter.

The loss marks the first time this season the Lynx have dropped two of their last three games.