It had been three weeks to the day since Angel Reese last played for the Chicago Sky.

The 23-year-old forward had been sidelined since July 29 with a back injury, and in her first game back — a 94-88 loss to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday — she was put on a minutes limit — something she admitted after the game she wasn’t thrilled about.

“I was trying to control what I can control tonight,” Reese told reporters, via Bleacher Report. “I was only supposed to play 25 minutes, and that sucks. I’m not a player that wants to be on a restriction of any kind. But I did what I could do to try and help the team win.”

Reese stepped back in the lineup and seemingly didn’t miss a beat, logging a team-high 19 points along with seven rebounds, four assists, and a block on 9 of 13 shooting.

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Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on against the Seattle Storm during the second half at Wintrust Arena on August 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

It was the 12th time in 24 games this season she scored 15 or more points, and it marked her first regular-season game since June 21 in which she didn’t record double-digit rebounds.

Despite coming out on the losing end, the Sky looked much better with Reese back on the floor than they did while she was out, and the Rookie of the Year runner-up took to social media to let her fans know exactly how thrilled she was to be back in action after missing Chicago’s last seven games.

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“So happy to be back playing the game I love 😩🥺,” Reese wrote on X.

Reese’s message struck a chord with her followers, many of whom showed their appreciation for her in the comment section.

“Happy to have you back 5. You were missed,” one fan wrote.

“So glad you are back! The energy, leadership and all around can do attitude you bring really shows! It has been a long 7 games without your presence! Welcome back,” another fan added.

“The engine is back! Sky play with so much more energy when you’re out there 💯” a third fan replied.

“You made so many people happy tonight 💕,” one user stated.

“Welcome back Goat 🙌🏽 we missed you so much,” remarked another user.

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