When Angel Reese went down with an injury on July 29, the Chicago Sky were knocked off balance – losing not just their primary scorer and rebounder, but the heart of their locker room.
It was a moment of crisis that demanded leadership and poise. Into that void stepped veteran guard Ariel Atkins, and her impact did not go unnoticed.
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh didn’t mince words when asked who took control in Reese‘s absence.
He pointed directly to Atkins, saying, “She’s really stepped up from a leadership standpoint… She took a lot of the onus on herself to be more of a vocal presence in the locker room and on the floor.”
For Marsh, Atkins‘ influence went beyond her statistics – it was her steady voice and emotional stability that helped keep the team anchored during turbulent times.
Atkins fills both stat and spirit void
Atkins isn’t just leading in words – she’s performing on the court, too. The two-time All-Star is averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season, marking a career-best performance.
Her leadership culminated in a season-defining game against Las Vegas, where she erupted for 30 points, added 7 assists, and pulled down 4 rebounds, reminding everyone why her presence matters.
This isn’t the first time Atkins has embraced a leadership role – her arrival from Washington was met with skepticism, but she quickly earned trust by balancing experience with humility.
As Marsh noted, beyond her decorated resume, “there’s a ton of respect there… for who she’s been and what she’s done in this league and who she is as a person.”
Chicago‘s season has been defined by adversity – missed playoffs, injuries, and uncertainty. But Atkins’ emergence as the emotional backbone of the locker room has provided clarity and direction.
She is proving that while stats ignite headlines, leadership is what sustains success.
As Reese prepares to return and the Sky try to salvage their campaign, it’s Atkins’ leadership – off and on the court – that gives them their fighting chance.
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