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Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, who leads in rebounds, will miss the remainder of the WNBA season with a wrist injury, the team announced Saturday. According to the team, Reese was ruled out for the remainder of the season after a medical evaluation following Friday’s game.
“I am filled with emotions now that I am coming off a season-ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for the future,” Reese said on social media on Saturday.
Reese recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds as the Sky defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 92-78 on Friday. It was Reese’s rookie-record 26th double-double of the season.
What a year. I never thought the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3, but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they’ll see more in year 2 lol🥲 Through it all I’ve shown that I belong in this competition, even if no one else believed.… pic.twitter.com/re1X85mWR2
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 8, 2024
It was a record-breaking rookie campaign for Reese after the Sky drafted her seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU. She is the WNBA’s all-time leader in total rebounds in a single season (446) and offensive rebounds (172). She surpassed Sylvia Fowles for the WNBA’s single-season total rebounding record on September 2 against the Minnesota Lynx. Reese’s league-leading 13.1 rebounds per game and 5.1 offensive rebounds per game are currently the highest averages of any player in WNBA history in those categories.
Reese, a 2024 WNBA All-Star, became the first player in league history to record three straight games of 20 or more rebounds. Only Alyssa Thomas, who holds the record with 28, had more double-doubles in a season than Reese.
Reese finished the season with 34 games, averaging 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on 39.1 percent shooting from the floor. With Friday’s win, the Sky are 12-22 in 2024 and eighth in the standings.
How will we look back on Reese’s rookie season?
Reese immediately exceeded expectations early in her WNBA career with her relentless rebounding. Her pursuit of the ball on the offensive and defensive glass saw her set league records for consecutive double-doubles and rebounds in a single season. She also helped a Sky team expected to fall into the lottery stay in play-off position. If the playoffs started today, Chicago would be in the eighth seed.
Despite being the seventh pick in the draft, Reese was the second-most productive rookie, ahead of everyone in her class except Caitlin Clark. She was a worthy All-Star, adding 12 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Team WNBA in a win over the Olympic team. She will undoubtedly earn All-Rookie honors, but will not be considered for Rookie of the Year. — Sabreena Merchant, women’s basketball staff writer
What does this mean for the Chicago Sky?
Reese has been the most impactful player for the Sky this season. Chicago was 22.5 points per 100 possessions better with her on the court, the best on-off differential of any player in the league who could play at least two games. Although her effective field goal percentage of 39.5 was well below league average, her ability to create extra possessions and defend her position made her a positive player, not just for a rookie.
The Sky will have to rely further on Isabelle Harrison and Brianna Turner in Reese’s absence, or even play Michaela Onyenwere at the 4 to improve the team’s spacing. Chicago is tied with Atlanta for the eighth seed with one game remaining against the Dream on the penultimate day of the season. — Trader
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(Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)