The Sky came up short in a heavily fought matchup Tuesday night against the Atlanta Dream, with a final score of 82-75. Despite falling, the game was a barnburner, featuring 15 lead changes and 13 ties.

Chicago was productive on numerous fronts, such as going 53.3% from deep to Atlanta’s 19.2%, boasting seven blocks to Atlanta’s zero and outscoring the Dream 28-4 in bench points.

The Sky found the rhythm to keep up with the Dream early on. Center Kamilla Cardoso led the charge, tacking six points, two rebounds and one assist in the first quarter, setting the tone and establishing dominance in the paint. Cardoso recorded her 1000th career point in tonight’s matchup and finished with 13 points, five assists and four blocks.

In the second quarter, Skylar Diggins exemplified her consistency, going a perfect 2 for 2 from both the three and the free throw line, as well as tacking two assists and a rebound. The Sky went 4 for 4 as a team from beyond the arc in the period, in part to Diggins, as well as contributions from Rachel Banham and Jacy Sheldon.

Despite the outcome, Natasha Cloud stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Azurá Stevens tallied eight points, seven rebounds and a steal. 

All five starters for the Dream hit double figures in scoring. In an evenly distributed scoring performance for Atlanta, they combined for all of four of the team’s 82 points. Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard tied for team lead with 17 points.

Despite falling to 4-8, Chicago clearly found their rhythm and built confidence in their gameplay. The Sky showed plenty of reason for optimism they can head into their next game.

The Sky travel to Indianapolis for their next matchup on Thursday, June 11 at 6 p.m. against the Fever in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.