Angel Reese‘s season has been a study in contradictions. On the one hand, she leads the WNBA in rebounding and has cemented herself as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
On the other, her Chicago Sky are struggling near the bottom of the standings, and now her outspoken nature has landed her in hot water.
The Sky suspended Reese for the first half of Sunday’s clash against the Las Vegas Aces, citing comments deemed “detrimental to the team” – a move that reignited criticism from one of her loudest detractors, Dave Portnoy.
The Barstool Sports founder, never shy about voicing his disdain for Reese while praising rival Caitlin Clark, took to X to mock the suspension.
“Breaking: Angel Reese suspended by her own team for being an a****le… Also breaking: I have been blocked, apparently, by the Chicago Sky? This league!” he wrote, turning the situation into fodder for his ongoing feud with the rookie forward.
The trouble began earlier in the week when the Chicago Tribune published an interview in which Reese openly questioned the Sky’s direction.
Among her blunt remarks, the 22-year-old forward suggested that only she and rookie center Kamilla Cardoso were assured roles in the team’s future.
More pointedly, she cast doubt on veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot‘s ability to return from ACL surgery at age 36.
“I know she’ll be a great asset for us, but we can’t rely on that,” Reese said. “We need someone probably a little younger with some experience, somebody who’s been playing the game and is willing to compete for a championship and has done it before.”
The comments immediately sparked backlash within the fanbase and prompted a players-only meeting to address the tension.
Reese later issued a public apology, saying, “I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates, because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year…
“I want to apologize to my teammates, which I already have done about the article and how it was misconstrued about what was said.”
The franchise decided to make a statement by suspending her for the opening half against Las Vegas.
In a release, the Sky emphasized their commitment to accountability, writing, “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.”
Reese‘s disciplinary troubles came on the heels of an automatic one-game suspension for collecting her eighth technical foul of the season in a September 3 matchup against the Connecticut Sun.
During a scramble for a rebound, her contact with Aaliyah Edwards‘ head resulted in a technical that triggered both a fine and the suspension.
That absence meant Reese sat out the Sky‘s September 5 loss to the Indiana Fever, leaving her team further depleted in a season already marked by frustration.
Combined with the disciplinary action from her interview, the incidents created a turbulent week for one of the league’s most scrutinized young players.
Veterans push back
While Reese has shouldered criticism for her candor, Vandersloot offered her own pointed response to being singled out.
“Contrary to what people say, or think, my age is actually not a factor,” Vandersloot said. “I am coming back. I’m going to come back better than ever, because that’s what I’ve done.”
Her remarks highlighted the friction between the Sky‘s veteran presence and their youthful core. Reese, averaging 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, has clearly been central to the team’s plans, but her comments raised questions about her long-term relationship with the franchise.
For Portnoy, the episode was another chance to amplify his narrative. He has consistently positioned Reese as a foil to Caitlin Clark, mocking her performances and celebrating Clark‘s impact on the Fever and the league at large.
After the Sky disciplined their star forward, Portnoy‘s mocking tone only intensified the divide between Reese‘s critics and supporters.
What comes next for the Sky?
The Sky‘s season is all but lost in terms of playoff contention, but the franchise still faces difficult decisions as it looks ahead to 2026.
How Reese‘s suspension is remembered, whether as a temporary disciplinary measure or a sign of deeper fissures, could shape both her future and the team’s.
For now, Reese remains one of the most compelling figures in the WNBA: a player whose talent is undeniable but whose words, as this week demonstrated, can be just as impactful as her play on the court.
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