Angel Reese Absent Since Suspension, Future With Chicago Sky in Doubt
Star forward has not played since a half‑game suspension for public comments; Sky finish outside playoffs again as relationship with franchise remains strained
Angel Reese has not played for the Chicago Sky since receiving a half‑game suspension for public comments that the team deemed “detrimental,” and her future with the franchise is uncertain as the Sky close a playoff‑less season.
The 6‑foot‑4 forward, the Sky’s No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and a rookie rebounding leader, was suspended late in the first half of Chicago’s 80‑66 loss to the Las Vegas Aces after an interview with the Chicago Tribune in which she expressed frustration with the roster construction. Reese has also dealt with a lingering back injury that kept her out of seven games in July and led to her being ruled out for the team’s most recent game against Las Vegas; she remains questionable for the Sky’s season finale in New York.
Reese apologized publicly to her teammates after the interview, but the club disciplined her for what it called statements detrimental to the team. In the Tribune conversation Reese said, "I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non‑negotiable for me," and added, "We can’t settle for what we have this year." The remarks, and Reese’s subsequent suspension, came as the Sky were set to finish outside the playoffs for the second straight season, four years after the franchise’s first WNBA championship.
Chicago coach Tyler Marsh said Reese reported pain after pregame warmups and the team would not force her onto the floor. "She communicated that she just wasn’t feeling it physically," Marsh said. "So she reported that pain and so again we weren’t going to hold her back." Reese had been inactive for the most recent game for that reason; she did not return to play following the suspension.
The public airing of locker room dynamics drew comment from other players around the league. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, speaking on her podcast, emphasized protecting the locker room: "It’s not great. There’s just some things that you can’t say," she said, adding that she always places the team before personal feelings.
Veteran members of the Sky roster include franchise leader Courtney Vandersloot and players such as Elizabeth Williams, Michaela Onyenwere, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse and Rachel Banham. The organization has signaled it sides with the team environment as it navigates the end of the season.
Some observers have speculated Reese could seek a trade if the relationship with the franchise does not mend; she has two years remaining on her rookie contract before becoming a restricted free agent. The team has not announced any additional disciplinary measures or personnel decisions related to Reese beyond the half‑game suspension and her availability status.
With the regular season drawing to a close, the Sky will evaluate the roster and front office direction in the offseason. Reese’s absence has left unanswered questions about how the club will move forward with a player widely viewed as a potential cornerstone and about whether the forward will remain in Chicago beyond her rookie deal.
The Sky and Reese declined additional comment beyond previous statements. The franchise will finalize its season and begin offseason planning once the regular‑season schedule concludes later this week.