Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky will be sidelined for the initial portion of a forthcoming game, the result of the athlete’s “statements detrimental to the team.” Having already accumulated enough technical fouls to merit suspension from Friday’s contest with the Indiana Fever, Reese now faces further disciplinary action: a first-half benching in Sunday’s matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, according to an announcement from the team.
“The Chicago Sky places a high priority on the security, regard, and health of each player. We are dedicated to ensuring accountability so our athletes can maintain their focus on the game,” the team stated. “Angel Reese’s comments, made during media engagements as mandated by the league, were considered detrimental to the team. As a result, she will not participate in the first half of the September 7 game versus the Las Vegas Aces. This issue has been addressed and resolved within the team, and we are moving forward collectively.”
The team’s declaration follows Reese’s recent expression of dissatisfaction with the squad’s underwhelming season, telling the Chicago Tribune that she intends to reject “the same s***” in the upcoming year.”
“I openly communicate our needs and my desires,” Reese articulated, emphasizing the necessity for more robust talent. “I’d hope to spend my career here, but if things don’t progress, I might need to consider a different direction that suits my best interests. Nonetheless, while I’m here, I will attempt to remain open-minded about our current situation and leverage it as much as feasible.”
Under the guidance of first-year coach Tyler Marsh, the Sky have been notably unsuccessful this season, plummeting to 11th place in the league standings with a 10-30 record, and are no longer contenders for the playoffs. This follows a 13-27 showing last season, Reese’s inaugural year.
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On Wednesday, Marsh mentioned to Front Office Sports that the team was dealing with Reese’s remarks internally, as the sentiments seemingly upset a number of her teammates.
Later that Wednesday, following the Sky’s triumph over the Connecticut Sun, Reese had begun to walk back those assertions.
“I am probably disappointed in myself presently,” Reese admitted. “I believe the wording has likely been misinterpreted, and I did not intend to disparage my teammates, as they’ve shared this journey with me throughout the year. … I want to express my apology to my teammates, which I already have, regarding the article and its misrepresentation of what I said.”
Reese also incurred her eighth technical foul on Wednesday, shortly before halftime of the game against the Sun. As a result of an automatic one-game suspension from the WNBA, she will be absent from Friday’s game as Chicago faces the Fever, who will be without Caitlin Clark. However, Sunday’s consequence is being enforced solely by the Sky, not by the league itself.
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Chicago will again face the Aces on Tuesday and conclude its 2025 season at home against the New York Liberty.
