The Chicago Sky have experienced tough setbacks throughout the 2025 season, but contending with Angel Reese's ongoing back injury might be the one that takes out the team for good. Reese injured her back during the team's July 29 and has yet to return to the floor — and coach Tyler Marsh recently said that he's not sure exactly when she will.
There is still no timetable for Angel Reese's return to the court.
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) August 13, 2025
Coach Marsh on Reese's mindset navigating her back injury. #Skytown pic.twitter.com/aJLDqHLD8D
"She wants to be out there. She's a competitor, she's a fighter, and a winner," Marsh told reporters in a video shared via X on Wednesday, August 13. "So it's hard for her not to be out there for a team mix, but we want it to be as healthy as possible when she is ready to come back."
Fans were quick to notice that a key element was missing from Marsh's statement: any indication of when Reese might be able to play again.
Angel Reese observing today's practice. #Skytown pic.twitter.com/H0m3hIL0Ap
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) August 11, 2025
Reese has also not yet returned to team practice, which would be an obvious and strong indication that she could be expected to be on the floor sooner rather than later. A video posted on X on Monday showed Reese on the sideline, observing her teammates from a distance.
As frustrating as it is for fans, rushing athletes back from injury too soon does very little in terms of team success if the injury is unhealed. That's a reality the Fever have had to cope with as Caitlin Clark has missed more games than she's played — something that's likely due to her own desire to be back on the court as soon as possible.
Reese acknowledged a similar reality for herself while speaking to reporters following the Sky's loss to the Mystics in late July. The game was a success in some ways — Reese racked up 22 points and 13 rebounds — but was a disappointing showing in others (she shot 6 for 16 from the field and flirted with foul trouble throughout).
"It was ugly, ugly for me, but I tried to push through as much as I could for my teammates because I know they need me out there," Reese said at the time. "When I am out there, I don't think about an injury. It can happen anyway, anytime. If I'm thinking about it too much, it's gonna happen again. So, just trying to fight through contact as much as I can and do whatever I can for the team."
The physicality of the league has been a hot topic throughout the 2025 season, and player injuries are a major source of concern and frustration for everyone involved. But there's little evidence that this season is any more or less physical than season's past — there are just a lot more people paying attention to games, and who notice when their favorite players aren't out on the floor.