Dream hold on for preseason victory over Sky in Angel Reese's return to Chicago

Jones and Hillmon weren’t available for Wednesday’s exhibition. And the Dream began the second half with a new-look starting five, with only Sika Kone carrying over from the one that was on the floor for tip-off.

The Sky, who buckled down to trim their deficit to 13 before intermission, initially continued to roll with their starters.

That dichotomy started to make things interesting, as Chicago quickly built some momentum, in part inspired by a Rachel Banham 3, that its bench carried on.

Fighting to make the roster, former Louisville guard Sydney Taylor poured in 12 third-quarter points. Fellow rookie Gabriela Jaquez, a national champion guard out of UCLA whom the Sky selected No. 5 overall in this year’s draft, completed an and-1 made possible by her cutting, catching and scoring.

Chicago made it a single-digit game in the quarter, entering the fourth trailing 64-58.

Taylor’s takeover kept going in the final frame. Not only did she polish off her 23-point outing, but she showcased some versatility, too.

Nearly midway through the quarter, she she led the break, sending a pass to second-year guard Hailey Van Lith, who dished one more to set up rookie Tonie Morgan for a triple. The former Kentucky standout’s corner 3 made it a 73-69 game.

Atlanta never relinquished its lead, though. The Dream kept a grip on their advantage, picking up a win in their first preseason game of the year.

This story is being updated.