Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has missed two straight games.
Chicago Sky Facing Backlash for Angel Reese Decision After Injury News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has missed two straight games with a back injury, and four of her team's last five contests with that same ailment. Returning from a two-game injury absence on Tuesday against the Washington Mystics, Reese poured in 22 points and 13 rebounds for her league-leading 17th double-double of the season.
Growing up in the Baltimore, Maryland area — not too far from where the Mystics play at CareFirst Arena, many speculated Reese did all she could to play in front of her friends and family on Tuesday night. Because by Chicago's next game, she was again ruled out with a back injury and has yet to play since.
Angel Reese's Injury and Chicago Sky's Losing Streak
Reese has missed four of Chicago's last five games, and five of the last seven. Her injury issues have coincided with the Sky's worst stretch of the 2025 WNBA season, as they are currently amid an eight-game losing streak.
This skid includes an 83-67 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, a game in which Reese did not play. It was announced a full day in advance that Reese would be inactive against Phoenix, but despite that news, the Sky made an interesting decision to still feature the two-time All-Star on their game day graphic.
let’s hoop🏀
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 3, 2025
⏰: 5 PM CT
🆚: Phoenix Mercury
📺: The U pic.twitter.com/CL3z8i3yIz
WNBA Fans Upset With Chicago Sky's Angel Reese Graphic
Featuring an injured player on a game day graphic is extremely unusual across professional sports. Even if a player is questionable to play, teams often avoid using them to promote that game to ensure fans are not misled in the event that player is ruled out.
Because the news of Reese's injury absence was announced a full day prior to this game (h/t Meghan L. Hall of USA Today), fans are not happy with Chicago deciding to use her for this graphic.
"Angel is OUT today guys," said one fan. "What are we doing with her on the graphic?!"
"Promoting a player who's out for the sole reason of trying to fill Wintrust Arena," another said.
"Very misleading sky when yall know A5 ain’t playing," one added.
These comments continued flooding the replies and quotes of Chicago's post, with many fans accusing the Sky of being misleading.
"Trying to make us think Angel is playing," claimed one. "Nope we not watching, we know she out."
"angels not even playing. show love to the folks who are playing," another implored.
"Got my girl in the graphic and she not playing," said another.
"Using a player that's NOT even playing in the game, shows how UNSERIOUS this page/organization @chicagosky IS," one commented.
Fan Backlash Comes Amid Historically Bad Season for Sky
This backlash from fans comes amid what has been a dreadful season for Chicago. Currently 7-21 (.250) on the WNBA season, the Sky own their second-worst winning percentage in franchise history. Only the 2006 team, which went 5-29 in the franchise's inaugural season, was worse.
While they are still not a winning team when she plays, the Sky are 0-5 this season without Reese (h/t Real Sports). The team is just 1-10 without her since she debuted in 2024.
Reese's impact and popularity help explain why the team wants to continue featuring her in social media content, but if Sunday's backlash was any indication, the Sky should avoiding doing that for game day graphics when she is ruled out.
Related: LeBron James Facing Backlash for Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Decision
Related: Angel Reese Turns Heads With Perceived Shot at Caitlin Clark Before WNBA All-Star Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
