The Chicago Sky experiences a stunning collapse in their Wednesday game agains the Atlanta Dream, sinking to a franchise-worst low since 2011 by scoring just 49 points. Their lowest output in 14 years. With Angel Reese sidelined by a leg injury for the first time this season, the team looked lost on both ends of the floor.
They were outrebounded 42-33 and failed to record a single double-digit scorer –Rebecca Allen led with only 9 points-. It’s pretty evident who their most important and fierce player is, one that installs fear in the competition.
Reese’s impact, a dominant force missed
When Reese plays, she dominates, Before the layoff, she was averaging 14 points and a aleague-leading 12.6 rebounds per game, with a streak of nine double-doubles and leading the WNBA in rebounding. Reese’s combination of inside scoring, second-chance opportunities, and defensive toughness transformed the Sky’s identity. But her absence exposed a roster lacking in scoring balance and energy, raising questions about the team’s ability to support her consistently.
Sky must find answers without Reese
This lopsided defeat serves as a wake-up call: the Sky need to cultivate other options. Four times this season they’ve failed to score 50 points, and this latest outing emphasized their fragility without their star.
Veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot (out with an ACL injury) has preached “building a winning culture” for next season, but current performances show that depth and cohesion are still works in progress. Now more than ever, role players and bench contributors must step up to stabilize the offense and lessen the burden on Reese.
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