Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky will miss her sixth straight game on Wednesday as the team prepares to face the Connecticut Sun. Since the All-Star break, Reese has been sidelined due to a back injury and has only participated in two games since the season resumed. There is currently no defined timeline for her return, reflecting ongoing concerns about the severity of her condition.
Coaching Staff Remains Cautious About Reese’s Recovery
Tyler Marsh, head coach of the Sky, explained earlier this month that the team has yet to establish a firm timetable for Reese’s comeback.
“There isn’t a concrete timetable as to the extent that I know,”
Marsh said.
“It’s the back injury and she continues to be day-to-day … I think she’s progressing but still kind of wait and see.”
Reese’s last game was on July 29 in a 103-86 loss to the Washington Mystics, where she managed 22 points and 13 rebounds despite struggling with back discomfort and foul trouble. After that game, her back injury worsened, leading the Sky to take a precautionary approach by keeping her out of subsequent contests.
Reese’s Determination Amid Physical Challenges
Despite the pain, Reese remains resolute about contributing whenever possible. Reflecting on her efforts during that challenging game, she stated,
“It was ugly, ugly for me, but I tried to push through as much as I could for my teammates because I know they need me out there. When I am out there, I don’t think about an injury. It can happen anyway, anytime. If I’m thinking about it too much, it’s gonna happen again. So, just trying to fight through contact as much as I can and do whatever I can for the team.”
—Angel Reese, player
Team’s Playoff Hopes and Managing Player Health
With a record of 8-23 and trailing by 7½ games for the last playoff spot, Chicago’s position in the standings makes rushing Reese’s return unnecessary, especially considering the nature of her back injury. Marsh emphasized that protecting Reese’s long-term health takes priority, and the team is prepared to be patient with her rehabilitation as the season progresses.
Highlights of Reese’s Roller Coaster Sophomore Season
This season has been a mix of highs and lows for Reese. She struggled early, shooting just 30.9% from the field in her first seven games, including a 32% shooting rate in the restricted area. However, her performance improved significantly over time.
On June 15, Reese achieved her first career triple-double in a victory against the Connecticut Sun. Shortly afterward, she began an impressive streak of 11 consecutive double-doubles starting June 22, a run that set a league record by marking her as the first player with multiple double-double streaks of at least 10 games. Over those 11 games, she averaged 16.9 points and 13.1 rebounds on 50.9% shooting.
Her efforts were recognized with her second All-Star selection this season on July 6, underscoring her status as a key contributor to the Sky despite injury setbacks.
Implications for the Near Future of the Chicago Sky
As the regular season winds down, the ongoing absence of Angel Reese represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the Sky. Managing her back injury carefully will be vital to preserving her health for the future, even as the team’s playoff chances diminish. Her return will be watched closely, but for now, the priority remains recovery over immediate impact.