Chicago Sky

Angel Reese's rookie season has come to a close.

The Chicago Sky forward took to X to announce that she would be missing the remainder of the 2024 WNBA season. She played in the Sky's game on Friday and took to the platform on Saturday to express her gratitude for the fan support in her first 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

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. 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." 

Reese had been listed as questionable for the Sky's game on Sunday due to a wrist injury and the franchise confirmed the ailment is what's keeping her sidelined for the remainder of the year.

After undergoing further medical evaluation after the September 6 game against Los Angeles, Angel Reese has been ruled out for the rest of the 2024 season with a wrist injury, the team announced today. The team will provide medical updates later as needed. pic.twitter.com/MbViDUw2Sb

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 8, 2024

The rookie averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 34 games for the Sky. She set the single-season record for rebounding and had been considered a top contender for the Rookie of the Year.

She still should remain in that race but her opponents, namely Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, will have an extra opportunity to improve their stock while she will remain stagnant with the achieved stats.

Reese has had a very long year as the WNBA season started soon after her final collegiate season at LSU commenced. Now, she can focus on recovering and being ready for 2025 and beyond.

Angel Reese put up another outstanding performance on Friday as the Chicago Sky beat the Los Angeles Sparks 92-78.

The rookie had 24 points and 12 rebounds, securing yet another double-double after already setting the record for the most double-doubles by a rookie. Reese has now secured 26 double-doubles this season and is just three away from breaking Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas' WNBA record of 28 in a single season.

Reese was also an efficient 9-of-15 from the field, showing improvement in what has arguably been the weak point in her game this season.

It was a battle of the rookies on Friday, as Sparks' rookie Rickea Jackson, the No. 4 overall pick, dropped 17 points and six rebounds. That performance wasn't enough to best Reese and the Sky, however.

Reese's performance drew plenty of praise from fans on social media.

Just a small reminder...Chicago Sky were predicted to finish LAST this year and Angel Reese has helped lead this team to a potential playoff birth! I will not accept the slander!!!!!#WNBA

— 📸 Mixed Brand Media (Shot By Stout) (@ShotByStout253) September 7, 2024

Angel Reese to the Sparks tonight pic.twitter.com/EV0dC7ZAHU

— Quin (@Quinthox) September 7, 2024

Angel Reese has 17 points heading into the 4th quarter..

she's 6-12 on FGA... 🔥

this is Angel's 34th game in the WNBA...

she has 5 games shooting over 50% -- and 7 games shooting 50% or better... in her 33 career games.

— sam samolians (@SamoliansSam) September 7, 2024

Angel Reese in the third:

11 Points
4 Rebounds
1 Assist
3/6
+8#skytown #wnba pic.twitter.com/E06RyGpxaq

— Sky Lead (@SkyLeadSM) September 7, 2024

When Angel Reese is balling,you see it in her eyes she is born for this..

— Kendo. (@Kendostart3) September 7, 2024

Angel Reese is cooking no cap #WNBA

— Not you blocked me (@Notyoublockedm1) September 7, 2024

Angel reese is playing some beautiful basketball rn.

— Chidera (@Chi___dera95) September 7, 2024

Angel Reese is having herself a game 💪🏾👌🏾 #SkyTown #WNBA

— Thee Blessing 😈 (@uncleFEEL_) September 7, 2024

11 pts in the 3rd quarter Angel Reese in her Duffy tonight #skytown

— ceomikey (@Crazywearmikey) September 7, 2024

ANGEL REESE BALLING!#skytown

— jay.☆ (@reese4mvp) September 7, 2024

ANGEL REESE IS COOKING

— 𝙹𝙹 𝚁𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚎⁶𓅓 (@RedickGotNext) September 7, 2024

Efficient Angel Reese is superstar

— Ky (@W4LKari) September 7, 2024

Reese is averaging 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds this season and is likely Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's only competition for Rookie of the Year at this point. After an outstanding collegiate career at LSU, expectations were high for Reese coming into the WNBA, and it's fair to say she's exceeded them.

More importantly, Reese's outstanding play in her rookie year has put Chicago in a good position to make the playoffs. The Sky are currently eighth in the WNBA standings, tied with the Atlanta Dream at 12-22 on the year.

Reese and the Sky snapped a seven-game losing streak with Friday's win, and they'll look to keep their foot on the gas over the final weeks of the season to claim the final postseason slot.

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese shut down any speculation of her and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant having a romantic interest after rumors swirled last month.

After Reese and Durant sat courtside during the Team USA women's basketball tournament matchup, Reese cleared things up on her podcast, Unapologetically Angel.

"That was never a thing," Reese said (30-minute mark). "I don't even know how that even became a thing because I sat next to somebody. My friend was sitting next to Steph (Curry). I don't even get that. I don't even know where that came from."

It turns out the two were just enjoying the game and happened to be sitting next to each other. Reese did explain that she has always been a fan of Durant, who is from the DMV area like she is.

"KD has been my favorite player since I was a kid and is still my favorite player," Reese said. "He's from the DMV, I love his mom, she comes out and supports the game."

Durant has already enjoyed a successful career, and now Reese is looking to do the same. She's off to a good start, averaging 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game during her rookie season, but she has a long way to go to have a career like Durant's. Perhaps she can pick up some tips from the NBA legend in the future.

Angel Reese is feeling the love from some of her peers in the WNBA.

In the first episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, the Chicago Sky rookie said that other players have commented that they wish she was their teammate and that they would have preferred their team had drafted her in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

"Players on other teams say 'I wish we drafted you,'" Reese said (around the 21-minute mark). "It was nothing against their rookies that got drafted, but they were like 'I wish we were teammates, I wish we drafted you.'"

Reese was the seventh player off the board at the 2024 Draft, with five teams passing on her before Chicago took her with its second pick. She has proceeded to take the league by storm, earning an All-Star selection and setting the single-season record for rebounds.

She is averaging 13.3 points, 13.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33 games. She is considered a favorite, alongside No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark, for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

While Reese put up solid numbers, Chicago is 11-22 and in eighth place in the WNBA. Still, the foundation appears to be set and Reese should enjoy team success in the future.

On her new podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese opened up about the difficulties that have come with her rise to stardom.

She specifically spoke about being the target of racism and death threats from fans of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, though Reese said she knows Clark doesn't condone her fans' behavior.

"I think it's really just the fans, her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans, that are like, they ride for her," Reese said (10:30 mark). "And I respect that, respectfully, but sometimes it's very disrespectful. I think there's a lot of racism when it comes to it, and I don't believe she stands on any of that. ... But when it comes to death threats, like I'm talking about people come down to my address, follow me home, it's come down to that."

Reese and Clark have been on-court rivals since before their WNBA days. Reese's LSU beat Clark's Iowa in the 2023 national championship game before Clark and the Hawkeyes beat Reese and the Tigers in the Elite Eight last season.

While that rivalry has made for exciting matchups and debates among fans, it's also led to some fans directing hate toward Reese, and she and Clark are both hoping to put an end to it and keep the focus on basketball.

Amid what has been a difficult time off the court, Reese has still managed to thrive on the court. She's averaging 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game and is likely Clark's only competition for Rookie of the Year.

Reese has also already broken several WNBA records in her rookie season. Last week, she broke WNBA icon Sylvia Fowles' record for rebounds in a season, which was 404. She has already broken the rookie record for double-doubles in a season and is just a few shy of breaking Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas' record of 28 double-doubles in a single season.

Behind an outstanding year from Reese, the Sky are currently in eighth place in the WNBA standings as they attempt to make a playoff push.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese doesn't have any negative feelings towards Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark as their rookie seasons in the WNBA start to wind down.

"There is no hate," Reese said (around the 12:14 mark) on Thursday's episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel. "We're gonna play on the same team one day, I'm sure. We're gonna definitely play on the same team one day."

In addition to their budding WNBA rivalry, Reese and Clark clashed on the court during their college days at LSU and Iowa, respectively.

Both players have already established themselves as rising stars in the association, putting together impressive inaugural seasons.

Clark won Rookie of the Month awards in May, July and August. As for Reese, she earned the nod in June. They're contending to win the Rookie of the Year award, although the individual competition hasn't resulted in any animosity between the two.

"I'm pretty sure that the only people who view this as a rivalry is all of you," Clark told reporters on June 22, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "For us, it's just a game of basketball. That's what it is. If it's going to help move the game forward then absolutely. That's amazing. That's what it should be. People can talk about it."

Reese is averaging a league-leading 13.2 rebounds per game, setting the WNBA's all-time single-season rebounding record on Sunday. Clark has continued to make history of her own, becoming the fifth player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in a season on Wednesday.

She's also averaging 18.9 points per game, the highest mark among all rookies in 2024.

Reese and Clark have faced off several times in college as well as the WNBA, although they already have some experience as teammates. They shared the floor together in the 2024 All-Star Game, helping Team WNBA defeat the U.S. women's national team.

The moment we've all been waiting for 🤩

The arena goes wild after Caitlin Clark dimes Angel Reese for the bucket @ATT #WNBAAllStar | ABC pic.twitter.com/QSMuYOw3bP

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 21, 2024

The two standout rookies appear poised to blossom into stars as their careers continue, although their on-court rivalry doesn't seem to negatively affect their feelings towards each other off the floor.

Chicago Sky star rookie Angel Reese is aware of the criticisms of her game, but she won't let them stop her from celebrating the monumental achievement of breaking the WNBA single-season rebounding record on Sunday.

"I just knew my motor. Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something I know I can always do, I knew it was going to translate right away, and that's something that a lot of players don't want to do," Reese told reporters in Chicago's post-game press conference. "A lot of people think it's because I get my own rebounds, but statistically it's not. A lot of people think it's because I'm the tallest on the court when I'm not the tallest on the court."

"A lot of people think it's because I get my own rebounds, but statistically it's not. A lot of people think it's because I'm the tallest on the court when I'm not the tallest on the court."

Angel Reese on why she's such a great rebounder 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zQd7DfsGKF

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 1, 2024

Reese pulled down 19 rebounds in Sunday's 79-74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, giving her 418 this season and surpassing Sylvia Fowles' previous record of 404 in 2018. She also set a new record with 165 offensive rebounds, eclipsing Yolanda Griffith's 162 in 2001. The 6'3" rookie, who averages 13.1 rebounds per game, added 17 points in Sunday's game for her 24th double-double, extending her league record for a first-year player.

Despite Reese's dominance on the glass, she still has areas where she needs to improve. Some have criticized her lack of efficiency around the rim, as she's shooting 38.6 percent from the field this season. In Sunday's loss, she shot 6-of-16 (37.5 percent) and had a team-high six turnovers. Her rebounding prowess has yet to influence winning, as Chicago has now lost six straight games to fall to 11-21.

Still, Reese has proven to be a superstar in the making. She has eight games left to try to break Alyssa Thomas' single-season record of 28 double-doubles, and all signs point to her setting a new mark.

Reese will try to help the Sky end their skid when they return to action on Tuesday, but it won't be an easy task as they will be facing the Las Vegas Aces, who defeated the Phoenix Mercury 97-79 on Sunday to improve to 20-12.

History has been made.

During the Chicago Sky's Sunday game against the Minnesota Lynx, rookie forward Angel Reese set the single-season record for rebounds.

ANGEL REESE SETS THE WNBA RECORD FOR MOST REBOUNDS IN A SINGLE SEASON 👑

GOT IT DONE AS A ROOKIE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CRnyBKb9Kv

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 1, 2024

JUST LIKE WHO?

Angel Reese breaks Sylvia Fowles' WNBA record for most rebounds in a single season pic.twitter.com/FlKC7vaMcq

— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2024

She entered the game with 399 rebounds, five shy of Sylvia Fowles' all-time mark of 404 set in 2018. Reese exceeded this mark during the second quarter.

She finished the game with 17 points, 19 rebounds and three assists in Chicago's 79-74 loss.

Fans took to social media to celebrate Reese's accomplishment.

ANGEL REESE 🤯🤯🔥

MOST REBOUNDS IN A SINGLE SEASON (405) pic.twitter.com/14LocL1Bhj

— 𝙹𝙹 𝚁𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚎⁶𓅓 (@RedickGotNext) September 1, 2024

https://twitter.com/aalliyahhh/status/1830329223338438974

405 rebounds for Angel Reese this season and a new WNBA record! I won’t lie she’s got that down!! 🔥🏀💪🏻

— Alison (@Alimoe05192) September 1, 2024

reese just broke the wnba regular season record in rebounds, im so proud. ❤️

— lovelysapphic (@alovelysapphic) September 1, 2024

Angel Reese breaking the Single Season Rebounds record is wild 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

— Spencer D. Jackson (@Action_SJackson) September 1, 2024

HISTORY FOR ANGEL REESE. BEST REBOUNDER IN THE WORLD

— Dae🖤💕 (@dae_afterhours) September 1, 2024

https://twitter.com/JL_WilliamsMD/status/1830332200316731874

Angel Reese is already the greatest rebounder in WNBA history! 📚 #skytown

— Sky Lead (@SkyLeadSM) September 1, 2024

ANGEL REESE MOST REBOUNDS IN A SINGLE WNBA SEASON IN WNBA HISTORY AS A ROOKIE pic.twitter.com/dTrMeJjXBV

— #imback (@m4disworld) September 1, 2024

Angel Reese with 7 rebounds today in 15 minutes becomes the leader in rebounds in a season in the WNBA. Limited offensively but plays with effort and grit. Every team in basketball needs a player like this. Shouldn't win ROY though. Stop it.

— Joseph Ciraco (@JosephCiraco) September 1, 2024

https://twitter.com/sportsjungles/status/1830331981135011869

angel reese, best rebounder the W has ever seen 😌

— best in music (@_gbots) September 1, 2024

Reese's accomplishment came with an entire half remaining in addition to eight more games before the regular season comes to a close. She could extend the record much further and potentially hold it for a significant period.

She is averaging 13.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 31 games for the Sky in 2024. This came after a full collegiate season at LSU where she averaged 18.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 43 games.

Reese will now turn her focus towards expanding her record and helping Chicago reach the postseason. Following the game against the Lynx, the Sky are 11-21 and in possession of the No. 8 seed.

The Chicago Sky are asking fans to enter Barbie's world for Friday's game against the Indiana Fever.

The Sky, led by Angel Reese, who goes by the nickname "Bayou Barbie," are having "Barbie Night" for their game against the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever and will supply fans with Barbie-themed signs to show their support for the Sky.

It's game day in #SkyTown, and we want to see your energy! Grab a BMO sign on the concourse and show your support for @chicagosky - your cheer sign might just land you on the jumbotron. Let's make some noise! 📣 pic.twitter.com/aIJx7G4t0s

— BMO U.S. (@BMO_US) August 30, 2024

This is the fourth and final time the two teams will meet during the 2024 WNBA regular season. The Fever currently lead the season series 2-1.

While the Fever have had the advantage thus far, all three games have been very close. The Fever took the first game 71-70 and the second 91-83 while the Sky took the most recent matchup 88-87.

Both teams have had their seasons headlined by their respective rookie stars. Reese has averaged 13.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30 games for the Sky, while Clark has averaged 18 points, 8.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds 31 games for the Fever.

Both were named All-Stars and are battling for the Rookie of the Year award. Chicago and Indiana are also both fighting for positioning for the postseason.

Indiana is currently 15-16 and sit in seventh place while Chicago is 11-19 and in eighth. A win Friday night could be a turning point for both teams as they look to reach the postseason with less than 10 games remaining.

The game is set to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky are trending in the wrong direction.

Chicago dropped its fourth consecutive game with a 74-70 loss to the Washington Mystics on Wednesday at Wintrust Arena. The Sky fell to 11-19 and are fighting for positioning at the bottom of the WNBA playoff picture.

As for Washington, it is just 9-22 overall but has now won three in a row.

Reese fell short of her usual double-double with just seven points, 14 rebounds and six turnovers. Fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso did finish with a double-double of 10 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but it wasn't enough to counter the Mystics and Stefanie Dolson (17 points and six boards).

Social media reacted to the loss for the Sky:

Angel Reese is the Dennis Rodman of wnba. Can only rebound

— Joey Castro (@Joavian) August 29, 2024

https://twitter.com/13thWimbo/status/1828971915282661731

Angel Reese for the love of God please develop a middy/floater🥲🥲

— 🌰NATTY CHAMPS🌰 (@_wheat4) August 29, 2024

Angel Reese with only 7 points is wild

— smallville (@imsmallville) August 29, 2024

Angel Reese better come back next season with a damn jumpshot

— Dylan Evans (@cavstribefan23) August 29, 2024

It's not a totally crazy argument that Kamilla Cardoso is a better player than Angel Reese.

— Gboye (@mcgboye) August 29, 2024

https://twitter.com/ImBearingDown/status/1828974979456643205

As a big fan, Angel needs serious help offensively, and you can tell they not working on that in practice. Even without the missed fouls from refs. Idk what happened from before the All Star break till now.

— . (@sky5reese) August 29, 2024

Chicago was without leading scorer Chennedy Carter because of health and safety protocols, which shifted even more of the focus to Reese. All eyes were on the rookie regardless, as she entered play one double-double away from the WNBA rookie record of 22 double-doubles in a season.

Reese already broke Candace Parker's record for consecutive double-doubles across multiple seasons and was looking to add to her list of accomplishments with an impressive performance against the Mystics.

Yet she and the Sky struggled in the early going and found themselves trailing by double digits in the first half before trimming the deficit to five at intermission.

That momentum carried over into the second half, as Chicago took the lead in the third quarter with Reese crashing the boards. The rookie reached double-digit rebounds in the third and needed three points in the fourth to break the double-double record.

With the game and record hanging in the balance, Diamond DeShields provided a scoring spark off the bench in the fourth quarter for the Sky. It was much needed with Michaela Onyenwere doing much of the heavy lifting in the scoring department through the opening three quarters.

Still, it wasn't enough.

Reese didn't score a single point in the fourth, and Washington closed on a 13-2 run to escape with a win and send the Sky tumbling into their high-profile showdown with Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever on Friday.