As the Chicago Sky prepare to face the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Wintrust Arena, the stakes are high for the Sky in what promises to be a pivotal matchup before the WNBA All-Star break. With tipoff scheduled for 11 a.m. CT, the game marks the third meeting between these two teams this season, with the Sky eager to secure their first victory against a challenging Dream squad.
The Sky's season so far has been a rollercoaster, marked by a 7-14 record that follows a difficult 13-27 campaign last year. Despite the struggles, one shining star has been forward Angel Reese, whose remarkable rebounding and evolving offensive game have become central to Chicago’s identity on the court. Reese, 23, was recently named to her second WNBA All-Star team and leads the league with an impressive average of 14 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Her shooting has also improved notably, rising from 39.1% in her rookie year to 44.6% this season.
However, the Sky face a significant challenge heading into Wednesday’s game as both Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins have been ruled out due to leg injuries. Atkins, a two-time All-Star and a vital contributor in her first season with Chicago, sustained her injury during the first half of Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Reese’s injury was announced days before she was scheduled to play in the All-Star Game on Saturday, July 19, raising questions about her availability for that showcase event. Atkins has been a consistent presence, starting all 21 games this season and averaging 13.9 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.
Despite these setbacks, the Sky have named a starting lineup that includes Kamilla Cardoso, Rachael Banham, Michela Onyenwere, Elizabeth Williams, and Moriah Jefferson. Notably, Jefferson will make her first start of the season, while Williams earns her fifth, as Chicago looks to fill the void left by their two top contributors. Reese and Atkins lead the team in minutes per game, with 31.7 and 29.7 respectively, underscoring just how pivotal their absences will be for the Sky.
Historically, the Chicago Sky hold a 37-28 lead over the Atlanta Dream in their all-time series. However, this season the Dream have dominated, winning both previous encounters in Atlanta by wide margins: 88-70 on June 13 and 93-80 on June 22. The Dream’s sharpshooting, particularly from beyond the arc, has been a thorn in Chicago’s side. In the June 22 game, Atlanta connected on a staggering 48.5% from three-point range, making it tough for the Sky to mount a comeback despite strong individual efforts.
The June 13 matchup was notable for Rhyne Howard’s breakout performance, where she nailed a career-high nine three-pointers and scored 36 points. That game also saw Brittney Griner make history by moving into second place on the WNBA’s all-time blocks list. For the Sky, Kamilla Cardoso led the scoring with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Reese and Atkins each contributed 12 points. Yet turnovers and defensive lapses hindered Chicago’s chances.
In the June 22 rematch, Ariel Atkins shone with 29 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, demonstrating her importance to the team’s offense. The Sky showed signs of improvement, limiting turnovers and competing physically against the Dream’s frontcourt, but the Dream’s three-point accuracy proved decisive once again.
Off the court, Angel Reese’s impact extends beyond the box score. On July 15, 2025, the "Locked On Women’s Basketball" podcast featured a discussion on Reese’s exceptional season. Chicago Sky beat reporter Hope Perry highlighted Reese’s rebounding dominance, noting how she has silenced critics who claimed her rebounds were mainly from her own missed shots. Perry explained, "There’s actually been a number of folks who have crunched the numbers, and even if you take away all of the rebounds that Angel has gotten from her own misses, she’s still leading the league in rebounds by far." This relentless rebounding ability has become a hallmark of Reese’s game, impressing fans and analysts alike.
Coach Tyler Marsh has emphasized the Sky’s unselfish playstyle, which revolves heavily around getting the ball to Reese inside. Perry recounted a memorable sequence from a recent game against the Dallas Wings, where Reese, after losing a contact lens due to contact, continued to play with grit and determination, even making a shot and drawing a foul. This resilience and passion have made Reese a fan favorite and a cornerstone for the Sky’s future.
Moreover, Reese’s offensive game has blossomed significantly. Howard Megdal, host of the podcast, pointed out that Reese has transformed from a player with limited passing to one who now frequently sets up teammates. "Last year, she had one game with more than three assists in her entire season, and this year, she has already had six with at least five assists in the last three weeks, including one game with 11 assists," Megdal noted. This development signals Reese’s growing versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
As the Sky face the Dream without Reese and Atkins, the challenge will be to find new ways to generate offense and contain Atlanta’s potent perimeter shooting. The team must focus on spacing, ball movement, and disciplined defense to avoid the three-point barrage that has plagued them in previous meetings. Kamilla Cardoso and the rest of the lineup will need to step up, both offensively and defensively, to keep Chicago competitive.
While the injury situation clouds the Sky’s immediate prospects, the team’s resilience and Reese’s ongoing emergence offer hope. The upcoming game against the Dream will be a crucial test of Chicago’s depth and adaptability as they look to turn the tide in this season series. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Sky can finally break through and claim a much-needed victory before the All-Star break.
With the All-Star Game looming and the season’s midpoint approaching, the Chicago Sky find themselves at a crossroads. The outcome of Wednesday’s game could shape the team’s momentum heading into the second half of the season, making every possession count in this critical matchup against the Atlanta Dream.
