Sky Coach Explains Angel Reese 'Stepping Away' Amid Injury Before Fever Game
The Chicago Sky are facing the Indiana Fever on August 9, in another edition of what has arguably become the WNBA's most intriguing rivalry over the past couple of seasons.
The biggest reason this showdown is compelling is because Sky forward Angel Reese and Fever guard Caitlin Clark have a long-standing personal rivalry with each other, which started during their college careers and has translated and intensified once these two reached the professional game.
However, neither Reese nor Clark is playing on August 9. This because Clark is still sidelined with a groin injury and Reese is dealing with a back ailment. Therefore, a lot of the hype heading into Saturday's showdown has simmered.
Sky Coach Tyler Marsh Talks Angel Reese's Absence Before Fever Game
Not only is Reese not going to be playing in Saturday's game against Indiana (which takes place on the Fever's home court), but it has been reported that she did not travel to Indianapolis at all, and is therefore not with the team.
Chicago first-year head coach Tyler Marsh spoke with the media during his team's Saturday shootaround at the Fever's Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena. And at one point, he sent a message about Reese not being with the team at the moment.
"I think she's progressing. She's just, again, just stepping away to focus on that rehab," Marsh said, per an X post from Chicago State of Mind Sports. "Again, as we get more information in terms of [a] concrete timeline, we'll communicate that. But as of now, it will continue to be day-to-day."
Coach Marsh on Angel Reese's status:
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) August 9, 2025
Reese is still listed as day-to-day due to her back injury. #Skytown pic.twitter.com/e2E9FhR9Qf
While these comments make it clear that Reese being away from the team is so she can continue with her rehab, the fact that she didn't travel to Saturday's game is still turning heads.
Angel Reese Injury Details
Reese last played on July 29. Therefore, Saturday's game against the Fever will mark the fifth straight contest she has been sidelined for with this lingering back injury.
There has been some confusion about when Reese will return to the court. Marsh spoke with the media on August 5 and said, "There isn't a concrete timetable. As to the extent that I know. It's the back injury, and she continues to be day-to-day... I think she's progressing, but still kind of wait and see."
Reese also was absent from shootaround prior to that game (a 78-64 loss to the Washington Mystics), but Marsh said that was a result of her dealing with an illness.
Update on Angel Reese per Coach Marsh:
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) August 5, 2025
Reese was not present at today’s shootaround due to an illness and her absence was not related to her back injury.
Reese is still listed as day-to-day #Skytown pic.twitter.com/T1cjCyKnk3
The bottom line is that women's basketball is better when Reese is on the court, and her team will miss her against the Fever this evening.
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Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.
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