WNBA starAngel Reese is having yet another incredible season. At just 22 years old, she’s racking up double-doubles game after game. In the Chicago Sky’s recent win over the Dallas Wings (87-76), it was more of the same: 15 points, 11 rebounds, and leadership that’s impossible to miss. But one thing caught fans’ attention-she played only 29 minutes, after averaging more than 32 over the previous six games.
The reason? It has nothing to do with her performance – which has been nothing short of stellar – and everything to do with head coach Tyler Marsh’s broader strategy: giving her a breather while other players begin to step up.
Betting on Maddy Westbeld
One of those players is Maddy Westbeld, a rookie who’s slowly earning more minutes on the court. She’s appeared in all three of the team’s games in July, averaging seven minutes per contest. While her stats aren’t eye-catching, the coaching staff values her growth and how she’s adjusting to the pace of the professional game.
“Maddy has shown that she can understand the game at this speed, and that helps us give Angel breaks without losing intensity,” Marsh told Chicago State of Mind Sports. The idea is clear: if others can contribute more, Reese won’t have to carry such a heavy load every night.
Angel Reese remains the queen of the boards
Despite the slight drop in playing time, Reese is still the league’s top rebounder, averaging 12.8 per game. She’s also contributing 13.3 points and 3.8 assists, making this her best statistical season so far. Those numbers earned her a second consecutive All-Star selection.
Marsh isn’t holding her back. He’s protecting her. In a league as demanding as the WNBA, the minutes add up, and if the team can develop a more balanced rotation, Reese could stay fresh for the games that matter most.
Chicago Sky faces a big challenge
This Saturday, the Sky will host the Minnesota Lynx – one of the league’s top teams with an 18-3 record – at Wintrust Arena at 1:00 p.m. ET. It’ll be a great opportunity to see whether this new rotation strategy holds up against elite competition.
Angel Reese is – and will remain – the face of the franchise. But behind her, the coaching staff is building for the future. And in the long run, that might be the best thing that could happen to the Chicago Sky.
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