The seats at Wintrust Arena have been noticeably emptier lately, and it’s not hard to guess why. The Chicago Skyhave seen home attendance drop nearly 15% over the past four games, and the absence of their biggest name, Angel Reese, has a lot to do with it.
Reese, now in her second WNBA season, hasn’t played since July 29 due to a lingering back injury. Her last outing-a dominant 22-point, 13-rebound performance against the Washington Mystics-showed exactly what the Sky are missing. But even in that game, she wasn’t at full strength. “It was ugly, ugly for me,”Reese told Bleacher Report. “But I tried to push through as much as I could for my teammates.”
Reese Takes On New Role As Recovery Continues
While her injury has kept her off the court, it hasn’t kept her on the sidelines. According to Sky head coach Tyler Marsh, Reese has taken on an active role behind the scenes. “She’s been involved in meetings,” Marsh said before the team’s win over Atlanta. “She’s focused on her back rehab. She’s still day-to-day.”
It’s a frustrating update for fans eager to see her back in uniform. But even without a clear return date, Reese is staying deeply connected to the team. Her presence at practices and strategy sessions has been a boost for a squad trying to keep its playoff hopes alive.
“She’s not just rehabbing-she’s leading,” Marsh said. “Angel’s voice is still loud in our locker room.” That kind of leadership from a second-year player speaks volumes.
Hollywood Flirtations, But Hoops Still Come First
Even while recovering, Reese has continued to stay in the public eye. A recent post on X about her love for Netflix’s The Hunting Wives caught the attention of the show’s executive producer, Rebecca Cutter. Reese playfully replied, “Just let me know if you need me for season 2 ,” fueling speculation about a possible side-step into acting.
Whether or not Hollywood comes calling, Reese’s growing off-court brand isn’t a distraction-it’s part of her evolution. She’s already one of the most recognizable faces in the league and has shown she’s not afraid to expand her platform.
Still, basketball is clearly her top priority. The Sky, now relying on Kamilla Cardoso, Ariel Atkins, and Elizabeth Williams, recently snapped an eight-game losing streak. But if they’re going to make a real push, they’ll need Reese’s presence on the floor-not just in the locker room.
For now, her return remains uncertain. But with her leadership, visibility, and commitment intact, it’s clear Reese’s impact hasn’t faded-injury or not.
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