“No matter if she’s going through a very hard time or we’re going through a hard time as a team, she’s always positive,” grinned Nia Coffey to a media person. Since the beginning of this season, Tyus poured her heart into helping her team trail towards the WNBA playoffs. But just when she was a few matches away from her aim, it all shattered when she was declared out due to an injury.

On August 18th, when Parker Tyus was looking for an opportunity to score, she went down holding her right ankle. It was the first quarter of the game and the clock showed the 4:47 mark. Almost the entire arena felt her pain as she lay on the floor until her teammates came to assist her off the court. Despite it all, fans had hoped that she would come back. But not anymore. “Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (ankle) to miss rest of regular season,” announced Underdog WNBA on X.

Dream’s forward, in her ninth season, had been a crucial addition. Although she’s known for helping the second unit, she often comes in as a starter if need be.

“I think all of our bench players have done a good job of stepping in at times and giving us solid play. We have to continue to do that, we’re going to need everybody as we move forward,” shared the team’s head coach Tanisha Wright when asked about Parker Tyus’ season-ending injury. How could Wright not be worried when a vital player is out at a crucial time?

It won’t be easy for the Dream to claim a playoff spot

Sitting ninth in the seed, the Atlanta Dream is neck and neck with the Chicago Sky, fighting for a playoff spot. To book their berth, the team needs more wins. But with a few players already going in and out this entire season — like Jordin Canada and Aerial Powers — due to injury, another veteran, Parker Tyus’ absence wouldn’t help the Dream’s case.

Averaging 9.6 points while grabbing five rebounds per game, she had been a solid player for Dream. And as Coffey relays, she was a good energy for the team off the court. “She’s very much a leader in our locker room right now. Her enthusiasm and her cheering, that rubs off on us,” the Forward expressed.

Parker Tyus started 11 of the 25 games she played this season and was moved to the bench around June. But she performed better in the position, with better space, she had admitted. But now, with the inevitable, the team is set to focus on winning every game.

“We’re fighting every day, period. We’re tied right now with three other teams and every game counts… We’re doing everything we can do each and every day to prepare,” shared Coffey.

Dream now has to lean on other frontcourt players. This includes Tina Charles, Lorela Cubaj, Naz Hillmon, and Laeticia Amihere. 6 more games left for the team to make their second consecutive playoff.