One Sky star stepped up in Angel Reese's absence.
Angel Reese Out, WNBA Star Delivers What Chicago Sky Needed originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Angel Reese missed her third straight game for the Chicago Sky as she continues to nurse a back injury. Fortunately, despite her absence, the Windy City franchise found a way to win against the Washington Mystics.
Chicago beat Washington 78-64, with four players scoring in double figures. The Sky used a 25-10 first quarter to get things rolling, and the Mystics just weren't able to get out of that hole despite their comeback efforts.
Sky Coach Praises WNBA All-Star for Angel Reese-Level Impact
Elizabeth Williams led the way for Chicago in the win. After coming off the bench in their loss to the Phoenix Mercury the last time out, the one-time All-Star returned to the starting unit and replaced Rebecca Allen.
It proved to be a game-changing decision for head coach Tyler Marsh, as Williams exploded for 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. She also grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded two assists and a steal to help the Sky end their eight-game losing streak.
Following the win, Marsh spoke highly of Williams, who has largely come off the bench for Chicago this season. Including the clash with the Mystics, the 32-year-old has only started in nine games.
Marsh stated that Williams brought something that they have been missing ever since Reese was sidelined: energy.
"She's really set the tone from an energy standpoint," Marsh shared, per reporter Karli Bell. "She's picked up what we've missed with Angel being out. Liz is just a savvy vet."
Considering how well Williams has been playing recently, she has definitely made a case for herself to keep a starting spot—at least until Reese returns to the squad.
When Will Angel Reese Return?
Williams' performance certainly provides the Sky with some optimism that they can string together more wins as the season winds down. After all, at this point, Reese's return is still uncertain.
Prior to Tuesday's matchup, Marsh admitted that there "isn't a concrete timetable" for Reese's return. The Sky forward wasn't even with the team during shootaround due to an illness.
"“It’s to the extent that I know. It’s the back injury and she continues to be day-to-day," Marsh explained. “I mentioned earlier that she wasn’t here for shootaround due to an illness. I think she’s progressing but still kind of wait and see."
Reese's injury has been a big blow for the Sky. She leads the team in scoring (14.6) and rebounding (12.6), so her absence has left a huge void to fill for Chicago.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
