The Chicago Sky face off against the Atlanta Dream today in a crucial WNBA matchup for a team desperately trying to reverse their season’s trajectory. Chicago enters the game with a disappointing 8-21 record and sits near the bottom of the WNBA standings, making every opportunity to build momentum essential. But heading into tonight’s contest, one major question remains: will Angel Reese be available?
The Sky are listed as 9.5-point underdogs at DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s home game against Atlanta. That number reflects the uncertainty surrounding Reese’s availability—and now, confirmation that she’ll be sidelined due to injury further diminishes Chicago’s chances of pulling off an upset.
The Dream, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the top teams in the WNBA Eastern Conference. With an 18-11 record, they sit just behind the New York Liberty and will look to solidify their playoff positioning by avoiding a letdown against a struggling opponent.
Will Angel Reese play?
It appears the Sky will be without All-Star forward Angel Reese for the foreseeable future, as she continues to deal with a back injury. According to multiple reports, there is currently no timetable for her return.
Reese has officially been ruled out for Thursday night’s matchup against Atlanta. Despite snapping an eight-game losing streak with a win over the Washington Mystics earlier this week, Chicago remains far outside the playoff picture and faces an uphill battle without one of its key contributors.
The Sky are again set as 9.5-point underdogs—and it’s no surprise, given Reese’s absence. The two-time All-Star has been a bright spot in an otherwise tough season, averaging 14.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field.
How will the Sky respond?
Without their star forward, the Sky will lean heavily on rookie Kamilla Cardoso and veteran guard Ariel Atkins to carry the load offensively. Cardoso has shown flashes of dominance in recent outings but will face a stiff test against Atlanta’s frontcourt, which added Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones this season.
As for Reese, her long-term status remains unclear. With Chicago’s postseason hopes all but dashed, the team may opt to keep her out until she’s fully healthy, avoiding the risk of aggravating the injury. That could mean an extended absence—and even more pressure on Chicago’s supporting cast to step up.