On Saturday, Angel Reese announced that her rookie season has come to an end following a wrist injury she sustained during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday. The forward broke the news on social media.
“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,” she wrote. “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.”
Reese continued, “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.”
In Friday’s win against the Sparks, Reese finished the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The rookie has averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game during her first season in the league.
The Chicago Sky star ended her social media post by saying she’ll be back in action for the upcoming Unrivaled league, which is set to kick off January 2025. She stated that fans will “still see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline!”
The Sky also made an announcement about Reese’s injury Saturday night on X, formally known as Twitter. “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 post says. “The team will provide medical updates later as needed.”
Reese was drafted seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft and went on to lead the season in total rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game. She also broke the single-season record for offensive rebounds and as well as the WNBA’s single-season record for rebounds, surpassing retired player Sylvia Fowles.
Adding to her list of accomplishments during her first season in the league, the LSU alumni became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 20 double-doubles and expanded the most consecutive double-doubles to 15 in WNBA history. Overall, Reese racked up 26 double-doubles this season. She became one of two players in the league’s history to accomplish this feat in just one year. Her accomplishments have led many to believe she is qualified to win the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
The Sky are currently sitting in the eighth spot for playoffs and have just six regular-season games remaining.