The Las Vegas Aces are surging at the perfect time. With the playoffs looming, they are chasing their 14th consecutive victory and positioning themselves for the No. 2 seed. That path takes them through the Chicago Sky on Sunday, a team already reeling from a disastrous season and now dealing with the absence of Angel Reese for the opening half.
Reese’s Suspension and Locker Room Tension
The Sky’s season has been one long struggle, their 10–31 record leaving them at the bottom of the standings. The latest setback came with the announcement that Angel Reese will be suspended for the first half of Sunday’s matchup.
Her penalty stems from comments deemed “detrimental to the team.” Reese voiced blunt truths about Chicago’s lack of effort and need for higher standards, remarks that resonated outside the locker room but created friction within it. The organization decided to enforce discipline, drawing a line on what can and cannot be said publicly.
This is not unfamiliar territory for Reese. Back in 2023, she missed a game at LSU due to similar team-related issues. Her fiery competitiveness and outspoken nature continue to define her both as a player and as a personality.
What It Means for the Matchup
The timing could not be worse for Chicago. Reese has been the Sky’s most consistent contributor, averaging 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. Her absence leaves a gap on the glass and in the paint that will be hard to fill.
The Aces, on the other hand, are in peak form. Fresh off a 79–74 victory over Chicago on August 25, Las Vegas enters this rematch with momentum and confidence. Oddsmakers have them as heavy 17-point favorites, and it’s easy to see why. A’ja Wilson has been on a tear, scoring 30 or more in five of her last eight outings. She now stands as a co-favorite for MVP alongside Napheesa Collier, and every game from here forward carries weight in that race.
Big Picture
For the Aces, Sunday is about extending dominance and locking down home-court advantage through the semifinals. For Chicago, it is another painful reminder of a season gone sideways. Whether Reese’s suspension sparks a short-term response from her teammates remains to be seen. What is clear is that Las Vegas has every reason to believe No. 14 is within reach.
