Angel Reese has been hit with a staggering $500K fine, a five-game suspension, and a slew of additional penalties, after the league uncovered that she had faked an injury during her highly anticipated debut season in the WNBA.
In a stunning and controversial move, WNBA star Angel Reese has been slapped with a $500K fine and a five-game suspension, following an investigation that revealed she faked an injury during her debut season. The league’s decision has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, as the highly anticipated rookie season of Reese, one of the league’s brightest new talents, has been marred by this scandal.
Reese, who had been making waves with her on-court performances, was initially sidelined with what appeared to be a significant injury. However, after a thorough review, the league concluded that the injury was fabricated, leading to severe penalties. In addition to the fine and suspension, Reese faces further repercussions that could impact her standing within the league.
The news has raised questions about the integrity of the game and the lengths players might go to gain an advantage. Reese’s supporters are rallying behind her, but many are disappointed by the turn of events. As the league moves forward, it remains to be seen how this incident will affect Reese’s future in the WNBA.
Angel Reese clears up mystery around season-ending injury
Angel Reese shut down speculation that she “faked” her season-ending wrist injury.
The Sky rookie, who injured her wrist in Chicago’s 92-78 victory over the Sparks on Friday, explained she will have optional wrist surgery to repair a small crack in a bone in her wrist Tuesday.
“I fell on my hand when I got the and-one, when I fell back [and] fell on my hand and it is a small crack in my bone,” Reese, the No. 7 overall pick by the Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft, said in a video posted to her TikTok late Sunday night.
“Basically the doctors told me that I could either not get surgery or have surgery. The risk of not having surgery – I could literally have arthritis at 22 years old. That wasn’t an option.
“The bone could literally crack and completely shatter. Right now, it’s like a hairline… They’re going to put a small screw in it. And I wasn’t going for it getting any bigger.
“Long term, I literally could have not played anymore because this is a very hard place to heal because the blood flow is little to none,” the All-Star forward explained while pointing to her wrist, which was wrapped in a black soft cast.
“I’m going to be in a hard cast for four weeks and then I’m going to be in a soft cast for two weeks that Is removable and then I’m back. So, six weeks I’ll be back to doing my own thing, normal life.”
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky pose for a photo on September 8, 2024 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.NBAE via Getty Images
Angel Reese explained her season-ending wrist injury in a video on TikTok on Sept. 8, 2024.TikTok/Angel Reese
Reese went on to explain that she did not fake her injury, seemingly referring to online speculation.
“Did I fake an injury? Let’s be real. I literally played with my ankle like a literal golf ball when we played against Iowa [in college, when she was at LSU]. Pain, you know I’m hurt when I can’t play,” she said.
“They told ‘you’re shut down you can’t play,’ that’s what they [the Sky] told me yesterday… Obviously they gave me options to play and deal with the pain as tolerated but it’s not worth it.
“I want to have a long career in the league. I want to play basketball for a while so it’s not worth it.”
Angel Reese explained her season-ending wrist injury in a video on TikTok on Sept. 8, 2024.TikTok/Angel Reese
Reese also shut down apparent speculation that she was pregnant.
“That was never a thing… I want to make this crystal clear, I don’t have a man to have kids, I don’t have a ring to have kids I am 22 with no kids. And I’m not coming to kids,” Reese said.
“So that’s not going to be a thing anytime soon. I just want y’all to know that. because I know y’all like to have some clicks.”
Angel Reese explained her season-ending wrist injury in a video on TikTok on Sept. 8, 2024.TikTok/Angel Reese
Reese said she’ll be training and conditioning, as well as keeping up with her ventures off the court, during her recovery.
“So in the meantime I will just be in my hard cast for four weeks… during that time I’ll just be lifting, running, conditioning, shooting with my off hand, dribbling and doing stuff with my off hand, working on my nutrition,” Reese said.
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, 2024 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.NBAE via Getty Images
“[I’ll be] modeling still, podcasting still, being a baddie still… and supporting my teammates from a far. Well, not a far but on the bench… I still believe we’re still making the playoffs.
“… Obviously I wanted more but God’s timing is not always my timing so I have to understand that. That’s why I’m in such good spirits because I’ve been through this and it’s literally small to a giant.”
“I’m looking forward to this minor setback to a major comeback. Year 2 is about to be scary hours. That’s crazy my last bucket [of my rookie year] was a three knowing going into my second year, even going into Unrivaled League, it’s up.”
Reese, along with Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, were the only rookies to be named to the 2024 WNBA All-Star team.
In her rookie season, Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
The Sky (13-22) face the Mystics (11-24) in Chicago on Wednesday as they try and hold onto the final playoff spot in the WNBA.
