The Chicago Sky has had one of the worst records this season with star player Angel Reese on the sidelines, making fans doubt the team. Reese, having been struck with a lingering back problem, has been out since her last game July 29, 2025, where she managed to score 19 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. 

Her prolonged absence led to questions from fans that were responded with vague responses from Reese and the team Coach and no timeline of return. Questions specifically regarding the Skys’ future and the impact of not having their lead scorer. On the other hand some were expressing concern.

 The Chicago Sky’s official elimination from playoff contention did little to ease their worries. They’ve lost all 7 games leading into the  playoffs after her injury, a stark difference from their competitiveness with Reese on the court. They had their 9th overall loss to the Connecticut Sun, marking the worst record in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) this season.

Before the injury, she was a headliner on the Sky lineup, averaging 14.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Her rookie season is considered one of the greatest in WNBA history, especially scoring 26 double-doubles in her debut season. 

The Chicago Sky’s record this season if anything is the proof of their inability to succeed without Reese. During her absence, they fell off, particularly the offense without her rebounding. The numbers tell the story: with Reese, the team is competitive, but without her, they are one dimensional and predictable. 

A WNBA fan, Manya Gandhi, had some opinions on the team’s performance.

 “Angel Reese’s back injury hurt the Chicago Sky a lot,” Gandhi said. “They looked lost on the court. Her absence was clear and proved she is a key piece for their future.”

When asked about her comeback Gandhi replied, “I feel pretty hopeful about her recovery. As long as she keeps getting treatment and managing her workload, she will make a full recovery.”

Along with Gandhi, fans await her return to the court.