Star Player Ruled OUT for Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces

usatsi_23386760

The Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces will play a very highly anticipated game on Thursday night, as WNBA fans will get their first look at the Angel Reese vs. A'ja Wilson battle.

Entering play on Thursday, Wilson and Reese are atop the WNBA in rebounding, with the Aces star averaging a league-best 11.6 rebounds per game, while the rookie Reese is averaging an impressive 11.1 rebounds per game. Wilson and Reese are also two of just four WNBA players averaging a double-double this season.

While this should be an incredible game between two talented teams, Chicago will be without one of their best players, as it was announced recently that star center Elizabeth Williams will undergo season-ending surgery this week:

It was announced at the beginning of this month that Williams would need surgery, but Chicago's head coach just recently confirmed that it will be taking place this week. An All-Star in 2017 and an All-Defensive Second Team member last season, Williams is in irreplaceable piece to Chicago's lineup, but her veteran presence is still felt throughout the team.

Celebrating her 31st birthday earlier this week, Williams shared a special moment with her teammates in the locker room:

Prior to her meniscus injury, Williams had started all nine games she played in this season, and was averaging 10.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG. Also averaging a team-best 1.7 blocks per game, Williams was a defensive anchor for Chicago, which makes her absence even more difficult to sustain.

As they enter this game against a very good Aces team, the Sky must be committed to defending as a unit without Williams.