The Atlanta Dream earned a dramatic victory over the Chicago Sky on Sunday, but the team’s attention quickly turned to the health of star forward Angel Reese.
Reese left Atlanta’s 93-91 win after suffering what the team officially described as a left leg injury. The injury occurred when her leg appeared to buckle as she attempted a layup during the second half. She fell to the court, briefly tried to get back up and was eventually helped away from the action.
The Dream ruled Reese out for the remainder of the game. She later returned to the bench with ice wrapped around her leg and continued supporting her teammates as they completed the victory.
Reese Wanted to Continue Playing
Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko said Reese was eager to return despite experiencing significant discomfort.
According to Smesko, Reese remained in good spirits and wanted to continue playing. However, the coach decided that allowing her to return would not be worth the risk because she appeared to be in considerable pain.
The Dream had not announced a detailed diagnosis immediately after the game. As of July 21, there had been no confirmed public update explaining the severity of the injury or providing a recovery timetable.
Difficult Shooting Performance Against Former Team
Before leaving the game, Reese recorded eight points and five rebounds in approximately 20 minutes.
She made three of her 13 field-goal attempts, missed her only three-point shot and committed three turnovers. Four of her five rebounds came on the offensive end.
The performance came against the franchise Reese represented during her first two WNBA seasons. Chicago traded her to Atlanta during the 2026 offseason, making Sunday’s matchup another opportunity for her to compete against her former team.
Although her shooting numbers were below her normal standard, Reese has remained one of the league’s most productive rebounders. She entered the contest after registering 23 points and 12 rebounds against the Toronto Tempo, which marked her league-leading 17th double-double of the season.
Atlanta Nearly Loses a 22-Point Lead
The Dream appeared to be on their way to a comfortable victory after building a lead of as many as 22 points during the first half.
Atlanta carried a 49-34 advantage into halftime, but Chicago responded with a strong third quarter. The Sky outscored the Dream 27-13 during the period and eventually erased the deficit.
Sydney Taylor tied the game at 91 with a deep three-pointer with approximately six seconds remaining. That appeared likely to send the contest into overtime, but Atlanta still had enough time to create one final opportunity.
Brionna Jones found Jordin Canada moving toward the basket, and Canada converted a layup just before time expired to give Atlanta the 93-91 win.
Jordin Canada Delivers the Winning Basket
Canada did not score during the first half, but she finished the game with 10 points, nine assists and three steals.
The final play had initially been designed to create an opportunity for Allisha Gray. When Chicago defended that option, Jones remained patient and found Canada attacking the open space near the basket.
Gray led the Dream with a season-high 29 points. She shot 7-for-11 from the field and made 11 of her 13 free-throw attempts. Rookie Madina Okot also provided an important contribution from the bench, scoring 14 points as Atlanta tried to withstand Chicago’s comeback.
For the Sky, Azura Stevens scored 20 points, while Taylor added 18 and Kamilla Cardoso finished with 15.
Dream Improve to 16-10
The victory improved Atlanta’s record to 16-10 and continued the team’s strong season.
It also gave Reese her second win against Chicago since joining the Dream. However, the celebration was tempered by uncertainty surrounding her injury.
Atlanta does not play again until July 29, giving Reese additional time to rest and undergo further evaluation. The timing is still concerning because the WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for July 25.
Whether Reese will be available for the All-Star event will depend on the results of the team’s medical evaluation and how her leg responds over the coming days.
Atlanta Awaits an Injury Update
The Dream escaped with an important victory, but Reese’s status will remain the team’s biggest concern during the break.
She was able to return to the bench and celebrate with her teammates, which offered some encouragement. However, Atlanta is unlikely to provide a clear timetable until its medical staff determines the exact nature of the injury.
For now, the Dream can appreciate Canada’s game-winning basket while hoping one of their most important players avoided a serious setback.