The Atlanta Dream secured a decisive 86-49 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The game saw the Sky severely hampered by the absence of key players, most notably star forward Angel Reese, who was held out due to a leg injury.
The Dream’s win extends their dominance over the Sky this season, now leading the regular season series 3-0. Atlanta previously defeated Chicago 88-70 on June 13 and 93-80 on June 22 (ESPN).
The Chicago Sky entered the game with a 7-14 record (USA Today), facing a formidable Atlanta Dream squad that improved to 13-9 after the victory (ESPN). The Sky’s offensive struggles were evident throughout the game, as they shot a dismal 25.4% from the field, compared to the Dream’s 47.0% (ESPN). Rebecca Allen led the Sky in scoring with 9 points, while Brittney Griner paced the Dream with 15 points (ESPN).
The most significant factor impacting the Sky’s performance was the absence of Angel Reese. The team announced that Reese would not play against the Dream, citing a leg injury and stating she was held out for “precautionary reasons” (USA Today). Reese has been a dominant force for Chicago this season, averaging 14 points, a WNBA-leading 12.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. In her last outing against the Minnesota Lynx, she recorded an impressive 22 points and 10 rebounds (USA Today). Her absence, coupled with injuries to guards Ariel Atkins and Courtney Vandersloot (Sports Illustrated), left the Sky’s roster significantly depleted.
The Atlanta Dream also faced their own injury challenge, with All-Star guard Rhyne Howard sidelined due to a knee injury, expected to miss the remainder of the month (Sports Illustrated). Despite Howard’s absence, the Dream’s depth and efficiency allowed them to capitalize on Chicago’s weakened defense. Pre-game analysis from betting experts highlighted the Sky’s vulnerability, particularly on the perimeter, which was expected to benefit Dream players like Allisha Gray (Covers).
Looking ahead, Angel Reese is still scheduled to participate in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, where she is slated to play for Team Napheesa Collier against Team Caitlin Clark. Clark’s own availability for the All-Star game is also uncertain, following a right groin injury sustained in a recent game against the Connecticut Sun (USA Today). The health of these key players will be a significant storyline as the WNBA heads into its All-Star break.
