Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese out for remainder of season with wrist injury: Evaluating her rookie campaign

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, the league leader in rebounds, will miss the remainder of the WNBA season with a wrist injury, the team announced Saturday. It was after undergoing a medical evaluation following Friday’s game that Reese was ruled out for the rest of the season, according to the team.

“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,” Reese said on social media Saturday.

Reese recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds as the Sky beat 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 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🥲Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed.… pic.twitter.com/re1X85mWR2

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 8, 2024

It’s been a record-setting rookie campaign for Reese after the Sky drafted her seventh in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU. She is the WNBA’s all-time leader in single-season total rebounds (446) and offensive rebounds (172). She surpassed Sylvia Fowles for the WNBA single-season total rebound record on Sept. 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 by any player in WNBA history in those categories.

Reese, a 2024 WNBA All-Star, became the first player in league history to record three consecutive games of 20 or more rebounds. Only Alyssa Thomas, who holds the record with 28, had more single-season double-doubles than Reese.

Reese finished the season playing 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 league standings.

How will we look back at Reese’s rookie season?

Reese immediately exceeded expectations at the start of her WNBA career with her relentless rebounding. Her pursuit of the ball on the offensive and defensive glass, led her to set league records for consecutive double-doubles and rebounds in a single season. She also helped a Sky team projected to fall into the lottery stay in playoff position. Were the playoffs to start 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 but Caitlin Clark. She was a worthy All-Star, adding 12 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Team WNBA in a victory over the Olympic team. She will undoubtedly earn All-Rookie honors though won’t be in contention for Rookie of the Year. — Sabreena Merchant, women’s basketball staff writer

What does this mean for the Chicago Sky?

Reese was 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 suited up for 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 left against the Dream on the penultimate day of the season. — Merchant

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(Photo: Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)