Angel Reese’s highly anticipated return to Chicago ended with an unfortunate injury and a performance far below her usual standards. The Atlanta Dream star exited Sunday afternoon’s game against her former team, the Chicago Sky, in the early stages of the fourth quarter after her left leg appeared to buckle as she attempted a layup. Reese fell to the court, managed to briefly stand, but then went down again before being helped back to the Atlanta bench. The team subsequently ruled her out for the remainder of the contest due to a left leg injury.
A Difficult Outing Before the Injury
Prior to the injury, Reese was experiencing one of her most challenging games of the season. In 20 minutes of play, the 24-year-old managed only eight points and five rebounds. Her shooting was particularly uncharacteristic, as she connected on just 3 of her 13 field goal attempts, missed her sole three-point try, and committed three turnovers. She finished with a -7 plus/minus rating, the lowest among all Atlanta players, and also picked up three fouls. A notable aspect of her stat line was the distribution of her rebounds; only one came on the defensive end, with four being offensive boards, including a couple of instances where she secured her own missed shot. This tendency to collect offensive rebounds, sometimes after her own misses, has become a recognizable element of her game.
Reese’s Rebounding Prowess and Offensive Struggles
There’s little doubt that Angel Reese is among the premier rebounders in women’s basketball. However, her offensive game has consistently been a point of discussion. While her rebounding numbers are impressive, she often supplements them by gathering missed shots near the basket, including her own attempts. Even with this strategy, her box score against the Sky did not reflect her typical impact.
Before Sunday’s game, Reese was averaging 15.7 points and a league-leading 11.8 rebounds per contest. Just two days prior, she had posted 23 points and 12 rebounds against Toronto, marking her 17th double-double of the season. The stark contrast was evident in her 3-of-13 shooting performance against the Chicago Sky, the team that traded her during the offseason.
It’s important to note that the injury did not appear to be the cause of her struggles. Reese had already played 20 minutes before sustaining the leg issue just 14 seconds into the fourth quarter. While the injury itself is unfortunate and the hope is for a swift and full recovery, her performance prior to leaving the game was notably subpar.
Teammates Step Up in Victory
Despite Reese’s difficulties, her Atlanta teammates managed to secure a victory, with the Dream escaping with a narrow 93-91 win over the Sky. Atlanta had built a significant lead, at one point ahead by as many as 22 points, but allowed Chicago to mount a substantial comeback. When Reese exited the game, the Dream held a slim one-point advantage.
Guard Jordin Canada ultimately sealed the win for Atlanta with a last-second layup as time expired. This victory improved the Dream’s record to 16-10 and marked Reese’s second win against her former team since being acquired by Atlanta in April in exchange for two first-round draft picks. However, it was hardly the dominant revenge performance Reese might have envisioned.
Her struggles were evident in the statistics: she recorded more missed shots (10) than points (8) or rebounds (5). Coupled with three turnovers and three fouls, it was a stat line that fell well short of expectations, even before the injury.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and All-Star Aspirations
The Atlanta Dream’s schedule offers a bit of respite, as their next game isn’t until July 29. This break provides Reese with valuable time to recover from her leg injury. However, the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 presents a potential challenge.
Reese is widely considered one of the league’s biggest stars, arguably second only to Caitlin Clark in drawing power. Her presence significantly enhances the intrigue and viewership of the All-Star Game. For the league’s sake and for her fans, the hope is that she can recover in time to participate in the mid-season showcase.
Dream head coach Karl Smesko commented on Reese’s condition post-game, noting that she was in “great spirits celebrating with her teammates.” He added that Reese expressed a desire to continue playing but that he opted against it due to her visible discomfort and pain. The coach’s decision prioritized her well-being over pushing her further in a game that was ultimately secured by her teammates.
