Why is Angel Reese suspended? Sky star out for one half after comments detrimental to team originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Sky are winding down an ugly season, but fans will miss one (and a half) of their last chances to see Angel Reese in action before Chicago’s offseason gets underway.
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First, the WNBA announced Thursday that Reese had been suspended for Friday’s road matchup with the Fever, which carries playoff implications for Indiana. Then, the Sky announced Friday that Reese will also be held out for the first half of Sunday’s matchup against Las Vegas in connection to recent public comments that the star made.
While Caitlin Clark isn’t expected to suit up for the Fever on Friday as she remains out with the injury that knocked her off the court in July, Reese’s absence means fans who might have expected a renewal of their rivalry before the season won’t get to see either star take the floor in Indiana.
Additionally, Reese won’t appear in the first half of Sunday’s game due to her team’s punishment.
Here’s what you need to know about Reese’s team and league suspensions.
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Why did the Sky suspend Angel Reese for a half-game?
On Friday, Reese received discipline from the Sky. The team announced that for Sunday’s matchup against the Aces, Reese would not play in the first half of the game as a punishment for making “statements detrimental to the team” during a media availability. It came after Reese’s suspension from the WNBA for her technical fouls.
“The Chicago Sky values the safety, respect and well-being of every player. We are committed to accountability so our players can stay focused on playing basketball,” the team’s statement read. “This matter has been handled and resolved internally, and we are moving forward as a team.”
Reese was openly critical of the organization earlier in the week, telling the Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe that she’s “not settling for the same s— we did this year,” and that the Sky “have to get great players.”
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“That’s a non-negotiable for me. … I think the priority is being able to convince [free agents] that this is an organization that is going in the right direction,” Reese said, per SI.
Reese also said that she “might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me” if the team didn’t improve its outlook.
Following Chicago’s win on Wednesday, Reese apologized to her teammates in front of reporters for those comments, expressing her recent frustration.
Even with that apology, the Sky saw it fit to sideline Reese for another half-game, meaning she won’t be able to see the floor again until the second half of Sunday’s matchup against Las Vegas.
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Why is Angel Reese suspended by the WNBA?
Before her team suspension on Friday, Reese had received her eighth technical foul of the season in a win over the Sun on Wednesday, which put her over the limit and triggered an automatic one-game suspension.
The technical foul still had to be upheld for Reese to receive a suspension, but the WNBA confirmed Thursday that the call would not change and Reese would have to sit out Friday’s game against the Fever. Between her league suspension for technical fouls, and the half-game Sky suspension for her public comments, it kept Reese sidelined for the majority of two games.
Reese was called for a technical foul in the final minute of the first half on Wednesday after making contact with Connecticut’s Aaliyah Edwards under the basket.
Reese finished the game with 18 points and 13 rebounds, marking her sixth consecutive double-double and eighth in her last nine games.
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How many technical fouls does Angel Reese have?
Reese has eight technical fouls on the season; her eighth technical reached the WNBA’s limit and triggered an automatic one-game suspension.
“Under WNBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game upon receiving an eighth technical foul during the regular season,” the WNBA said in a statement announcing Reese’s suspension.
The WNBA increased its technical foul limit from seven to eight for the 2025 season, which is four games longer than 2024. Reese would be suspended again for every two technical fouls she receives, but she is unlikely to hit that mark with only three games remaining on the Sky’s schedule after Friday’s contest in Indiana.
