Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has announced that her WNBA season is over in an emotional post after suffering a wrist injury.
Reese was listed as questionable on the Sky 's injury report, and has since told her fans that she will be done until next season. "What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol," Reese wrote on X.
"Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so.
"I’m filled with emotions right now that I have a season ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for what is next. Although this is God’s timing and not mine, I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break.
"'God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.' You’ll still see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline! And Unrivaled league, see you soon!"
The regular season is nearly over for Reese and the Sky, with the team currently 12-22 with six games remaining. While Reese's injury is a major blow for the Sky as they look to finish the season strong, it could have repercussions for the rookie when it comes to individual accolades.
Reese is locked in an intense battle with Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever for the Rookie of the Year award, with both enjoying breakout debut seasons. Reese is averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds this season, and broke the WNBA's single-season record for rebounds, after recording her 418th during a defeat to the Minnesota Lynx.
Clark is leading all rookies in points and assists, averaging 19 points per game and 8.4 assists, with 5.8 rebounds also a respectable return. It was poetic that Clark and Reese would go head-to-head for the award, continuing their infamous college beef.
Toward the start of the season it was Reese who was leading the way while Clark took longer to find her feet during a disastrous start to the year for the Indiana Fever. Since players have returned from the Paris Olympics the form has been flipped, with Clark finding consistency and helping the Fever move above .500 for the first time in five seasons.
Although there is only a handful of games remaining, it allows Clark to push on and leave Reese in her wake as she chases the ROTY award. Despite the long-lasting beef, which has since cooled slightly in the WNBA, Clark isn't focused on winning ROTY and claimed that Reese wouldn't be either.
"I think me and Angel would both give you the same answer," Clark said when responding to the ROTY debate. "You don't wake up and think about individual awards. I know that's what all of you think we do. I know we don't. That's what everybody wants to make this about.
"Both of our teams are competing for playoff spots, that's our main focus. That's a selfish thing to just care about an individual award. And she would give you the same exact answer. I'm sure she has given you the same exact answer. If you're playing basketball to win individual awards, no matter what level you're at, you're doing it wrong."
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