The 2024-25 season has been a rough ride for the Chicago Sky, filled with struggles that have overshadowed the few bright spots.
After a long stretch of losses, the team finally snapped their skid with a commanding 88-64 victory over the Connecticut Sun on September 3. Angel Reese led the way with 18 points, showcasing the talent and energy Chicago desperately needs to turn its season around.
Despite the team’s impressive win, Reese’s night quickly took a negative turn, putting her and the Sky back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Incident on the court and its fallout
The Sky entered the game with a discouraging 10-30 record and virtually no chance of making the playoffs. Still, the victory over the Sun offered a glimmer of hope and a much-needed morale boost. The team’s potential was on full display, raising expectations for a strong finish to the season.
Unfortunately, Reese’s night soured during the second quarter in a physical confrontation under the basket with Connecticut forward Aaliyah Edwards. During a battle for positioning, Reese made contact with Edwards’ head, causing Edwards to fall and prompting officials to stop play for a review. After assessing the play, the referees handed Reese a technical foul.
This foul was more than just a penalty on the stat sheet, it pushed Reese over a crucial threshold in the WNBA’s technical foul system. The league’s rules are strict: players receive fines for technical fouls, escalating from $200 for the first three to $400 for the next three. Upon reaching the eighth technical foul, the penalty jumps to an $800 fine plus an automatic one-game suspension.
Reese’s foul was her eighth this season, meaning she now faces the steepest penalty. As a result, she will be suspended for the Sky’s upcoming game against the Indiana Fever on September 5 and fined $800. Losing their leading scorer and rebounder is a significant setback for a struggling team trying to build momentum.
Off-court comments spark additional controversy
Reese’s troubles extend beyond the suspension. In an interview with Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, she openly criticized the team’s current roster and expressed a strong desire for the Sky to improve.
“I’m not settling for the same s*** we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me,” Reese said. “I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason.”
Her candid remarks quickly ignited backlash from fans, many of whom took her words as criticism of teammates and the organization’s decisions. After the Connecticut game, Reese apologized for how her comments were perceived, explaining she never intended to disrespect her teammates and acknowledging she needs to be more careful with her language.
The combination of Reese’s suspension and off-court controversy puts the Sky in a difficult position. With their star sidelined, Chicago will need to rally and prove they can maintain the momentum from their recent big win. The upcoming game against Indiana will be a critical test of the team’s resilience amid ongoing challenges.
Read the full article here
