Angel Reese Injury: A'ja Wilson and other WNBA stars react after Sky rookie's season ends prematurely

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese shocked the WNBA world on Saturday by announcing an abrupt end to her rookie year due to a season-ending wrist injury. This news comes with six games left in the regular season, as the Sky are still fighting to secure a playoff spot.

Reese had been listed as questionable with a wrist injury in Saturday's injury report. Her final game of the season was on Friday against the LA Sparks, where she posted a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds, marking her 26th double-double of the season.

Several WNBA players reacted to Reese's announcement, including MVP frontrunner A'Ja Wilson, who left heart emojis on Reese’s Instagram post.

A'Ja Wilson reacts to the Reese injury

Reese’s Sky teammates Elizabeth Williams, Isabelle Harrison and Michaela Onyenwere also shared encouraging words for the standout rookie.

“League changer. Your future is bright, Angel,” Williams wrote.

“Keep going A,” Harrison added.

Onyenwere chimed in:

“This is just the beginning for you! You should be proud!”

Sky players react to the Reese injury

Atlanta Dream forward Cheyenne Parker also sent her well wishes, saying:

“Heal up baby and come back stronger.”

Cheyenne Parker reacts to the Reese injury

More details of Angel Reese’s injury

The Chicago Sky announced on social media that Angel Reese’s wrist injury from the Sparks game would sideline her for the remainder of the season.

“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,” the Sky said.

Reese, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU, concludes her rookie campaign with 26 double-doubles, the most by a rookie in the league’s history. Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas holds the WNBA single-season record with 28 double-doubles in 2023.

Reese leads the league in total rebounds per game (13.1) and offensive rebounds per game (5.1).

Reflecting on her season-ending injury, Angel Reese said she was happy to leave a mark in the WNBA in her first year.

“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,” she said in her injury announcement.

“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.”

She said she would use the time off as a chance for both physical and mental recovery.

Losing her is a huge blow for the Sky, who are holding onto the eighth playoff seed with a 12-22 record.