Dream hold on as star forward exits with apparent knee issue
The Atlanta Dream outlasted the Chicago Sky 93-91 on Sunday, a taut finish overshadowed by a late injury to forward Angel Reese. Early in the fourth quarter, the former Sky standout drove for a wide-open layup when her right knee appeared to give way as she gathered to shoot. She left for the locker room and did not return. The team has not disclosed the severity.
Atlanta, which had led by as many as 22 points, saw its cushion melt under a Chicago surge that turned the final minutes into a possession-by-possession knife’s edge. With Reese unavailable down the stretch, the Dream steadied themselves at the stripe before Jordin Canada wriggled through traffic for the game-winning layup at the buzzer.
Gray sets the tone; Reese productive before exit
Guard Allisha Gray authored a commanding night, pacing all scorers with 29 points and adding six rebounds. Reese, facing her former club, had eight points and five boards before the injury halted her evening.
| Team | Final | Top performer |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream | 93 | Allisha Gray — 29 pts, 6 reb |
| Chicago Sky | 91 | — |
Momentum meets adversity
The result marks Atlanta’s third straight win, a tidy response after a rough patch to close June. The Dream now sit fifth in the WNBA standings, a perch that keeps them in the thick of seeding battles as the stretch run tightens. Chicago, mired in a difficult run and now 12th at 9-17, showed spine in nearly erasing a massive deficit but left without reward.
Reese’s status looms large in the aftermath. Her blend of interior scoring, rebounding and edge has been central to Atlanta’s identity, and any prolonged absence would test the Dream’s depth just as their form begins to crest. The sequence itself was innocuous — a clean lane, a simple gather — until her right knee appeared to buckle, a sight that hushed the arena and sent teammates to the line of duty in the game’s most pressurized possessions.
Fine margins define the finish
Chicago’s late rally dragged the game into a contest of nerve. Atlanta’s ability to convert key free throws steadied the wobble, buying enough runway for Canada to punctuate the night. The Sky, for their part, found rhythm too late, their comeback saga ending one possession short.
What’s next
As Atlanta stacks wins, the conversation pivots to health and sustainability. With Reese’s evaluation pending, the Dream face the twin task of managing minutes and maintaining momentum. The Sky’s near-miss hints at growth, but their record underscores the urgency: there is little margin left for moral victories in a season measured in cold standings and hot streaks.
- Injury watch: The Dream have not provided an update on Reese’s knee; timeline and severity remain unknown.
- Clutch thread: Atlanta survived a 22-point lead squandered thanks to late free throws and Canada’s winner.
- Standings snapshot: Dream fifth; Sky 12th at 9-17.
The Dream banked the win they needed. Now they wait for the news they don’t want to hear.
