Wrist Injury Ends Angel Reese’s Rookie Season Early.
Before her injury, Reese secured another double-double, raising her season total to 26, just two short of Alyssa Thomas’ record of 28.
Chicago Sky rookie and double-double powerhouse, Angel Reese, had her season cut short after suffering a wrist injury during the Sept. 6 game against the Sparks. CBS News reported that before the injury, Reese tallied another double-double, bringing her season total to 26, just two shy of Alyssa Thomas’ record of 28.
The Sky announced that Angel Reese’s wrist injury is severe enough to sideline her for the rest of the season, stating, “Reese has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season due to a wrist injury.”
Reese remained optimistic about her injury, sharing her thoughts in a series of posts on X. She expressed gratitude to fans for their support during a rookie season marked by both challenges, including criticism for her struggles with finishing shots through contact, and excitement for what lies ahead in her next season.
“What a year. I never imagined my last shot of the season would be a 3-pointer, but maybe that was God’s way of giving a preview of Year 2 lol. Despite the doubts, I’ve proven that I belong in this league. All I ever wanted was to come into the WNBA and make an impact, and I can confidently say I’ve done that. While I’m emotional about the season-ending injury, I’m also full of gratitude for what’s ahead. This may be God’s timing, not mine, but I finally get to take a physical and mental break. ‘God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.’
Reese ended her post by saying, “You’ll still see me as the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines! And Unrivaled league, see you soon!”
In a follow-up post, she expressed gratitude to her fans and supporters: “I love you all and appreciate the thoughts and prayers! I know you’d give me your wrist in a heartbeat, but we’re not done yet! SKYTOWN, LET’S GO!”
Reese set a new WNBA single-season rebounding record, surpassing the previous mark held by future Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles. Her season ended with an impressive 446 rebounds. This record is a key highlight of her campaign for WNBA Rookie of the Year, a title she’s vying for against Fever rookie point guard Caitlin Clark.
According to The Athletic, Reese now holds several WNBA records in addition to the total rebounds record: most offensive rebounds in a season (172), highest rebound average in a single season (13.1), all-time rookie leader for consecutive games with 10 or more rebounds, most consecutive double-doubles (15), most consecutive games with 20 or more rebounds (3), and, along with South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, the duo became the first rookies to record 15 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 65% or better in the same game.
Reese appears to be a strong candidate for an all-rookie team selection, even if Caitlin Clark edges her out for Rookie of the Year honors. According to The Athletic, if Reese’s rebounding pace from her rookie season continues, she’s on track to break the WNBA’s all-time career rebounding record by her eighth season. Despite the early end to her rookie season, the future looks incredibly promising for the Chicago Barbie.
