Why isn't Angel Reese playing? Sky star ruled out of Wednesday's game vs. Dream with leg injury ahead of WNBA All-Star Game

The Chicago Sky have ruled out Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins for Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Dream due to leg injuries. The exact nature of Reese's injury is unclear, and it is unknown when or how she sustained it. Atkins suffered her leg injury during the first half of Monday's loss to the Minnesota Lynx, leaving the game at halftime and not returning.

With Reese and Atkins unavailable, the Sky announced a starting lineup of Kamilla Cardoso, Rachael Banham, Michela Onyenwere, Elizabeth Williams, and Moriah Jefferson for Wednesday's game. This marks Jefferson's first start of the season and Williams' fifth. Reese and Atkins are the team's top contributors in minutes per game (31.7 and 29.7 respectively).

Reese's injury comes just days before she is scheduled to play in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday for Team Collier against Team Clark. It is unclear how long she will be sidelined or if the injury jeopardizes her All-Star participation. Reese, the league's leading rebounder, is a second-time All-Star in her second season, averaging 14 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, while improving her field goal percentage to 44.6%.

Atkins, a two-time All-Star formerly with the Washington Mystics, has started all 21 games for Chicago this season, her first with the Sky. She averages 13.9 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals, shooting 42.5% from the field and 35.4% on three-point attempts. The Sky, who finished 13-27 last season, currently hold a 7-14 record in 2025.