The Chicago Sky were already reeling from their most lopsided loss of the season, a brutal 21-point blowout at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury. But barely 24 hours later, the team finds itself grappling with a more disheartening development—one that could significantly affect both their short-term momentum and long-term rotation.

After the Friday night loss, head coach Tyler Marsh admitted in his postgame presser that the team lacked “consistent vocal leadership” and “intensity from the jump”—a pointed reflection given that Angel Reese, the team’s most spirited contributor, had gone scoreless in the first half. Though she eventually finished with 9 points, her struggles were emblematic of a team desperately searching for rhythm.

That Phoenix loss dropped Chicago to a 3–9 record, and it wasn’t just the scoreboard that stung—it was the optics. Kamilla Cardoso showed flashes of dominance, but the Sky lacked offensive direction, particularly in the post, where Reese typically anchors second-chance efforts. Her physicality is what allows this young Chicago roster to play with edge, especially in transition defense and rebounding duels. With the Atlanta Dream up next—another physical opponent with size and speed—the Sky needed their full frontcourt intact. But now, they won’t have it.

The @UnderdogWNBA on X posted a late development about her: “Angel Reese (leg) questionable Sunday.” The update, currently coming out a leg injury might end up being a game-time decision for Tyler Marsh and his crew. Although no further details are available, this news—a significant blow— does not bode well for the Sky.

Reese, who dropped just 2 rebounds against Phoenix—a career low that snapped her 39-game streak of nine-plus boards—averaged a league-high 10.9 rebounds per game, led the team in offensive boards, and ranked second in free-throw attempts. Her absence leaves a massive hole: not only in the box score, but in the energy and physicality she provides. Without her, Cardoso must stretch to fill both ends of the court, while reserves like Isabelle Harrison or Brianna Turner may see expanded minutes, although they don’t bring Reese’s motor or presence.

This isn’t the first time the Sky have been forced to adapt to adversity. The season began with devastating news—Courtney Vandersloot was lost for the year after tearing her ACL. More recently, Moriah Jefferson had been sidelined with a leg injury, though on a positive note, she’s since cleared return-to-play protocols and is available tonight. It’s a helpful addition, but one that hardly closes the gap left by Reese.

Though Marsh hinted at “possible changes” to the lineup in yesterday’s postgame, few would have expected Reese’s name to be listed. But what exactly did the Chicago HC say about his struggling team? Read here.

Chicago HC Tyler Marsh hinted at Angel Reese’s questionable status?

Tyler Marsh, in his first year as head coach, has been thrust into a trial by fire, facing the kind of adversity that would challenge even the most experienced leaders. His most high-profile player has been relentlessly targeted and scrutinized for her unapologetic approach to the game. And the season itself? Unforgiving. The Chicago Sky aren’t just dropping games—they’re steadily losing bodies along the way.

Saturday’s loss to the Phoenix Mercury laid bare some glaring structural issues, particularly in Marsh’s defensive schemes. Sammy Whitcomb’s barrage from the perimeter and Phoenix’s record-setting 17 made threes exposed a recurring vulnerability: Chicago’s perimeter defense. It’s not a one-off flaw, either—it’s been a persistent weakness all season, and fans have begun to vocalize their concerns.

But amid all the tactical shortcomings, one decision from Marsh drew the most attention: his choice to pull the starters early in the third quarter, effectively conceding the game while time still remained. It prompted a lingering question from the fanbase—had the head coach thrown in the towel too soon? When pressed about his thinking in the postgame presser, Marsh offered a straightforward response, one that now takes on more meaning in light of recent developments.

“We got a couple players that are banged up, so we wanna be mindful of minutes,” Marsh said, acknowledging both the physical toll on his roster and the pace at which the game slipped away. “For us, it was more preservation at that point. Players were almost at their limit anyway, being on a back-to-back, and we wanted to be mindful of that.”

Chicago’s intention behind the rotation change was clear. “We gotta be healthy and ready to go into Atlanta tomorrow,” Marsh added. But unfortunately, that strategy may not have yielded the outcome the Sky’s support staff had hoped for.

With Angel Reese’s availability hanging in the balance and her status still designated as a game-time decision, Marsh is now staring down the prospect of an even thinner rotation. Chicago does have promising pieces to lean on—Hailey Van Lith’s developing game and Kamilla Cardoso’s size give them some tools—but whether that will be enough to stem the tide remains uncertain.

All eyes now turn to how Marsh adapts. In a season already defined by unexpected challenges, this next test may be the most defining yet.