WNBA rookie Angel Reese out for season with wrist injury

Angel Reese has been one of the few bright spots for the Chicago Sky this season and one of the biggest stories in the WNBA. She has put together an historic rookie season that has seen her average a double-double every night while also setting a new single-season rebounding record. 

That incredible rookie season is coming to a premature end.

Reese announced on Saturday night that her season is over due to a wrist injury that she suffered in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Sparks.

Wrote Reese in an Instagram post:

"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 lol. "I'm filled with emotions right now that I have a season ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for what is next. Although this is God's timing and not mine, I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break. 'God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.'"

Reese was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and leads the league with 26 double-doubles. That includes a WNBA record of 15 consecutive games with a double-double earlier in the season. 

The Sky are still in a fight for a playoff spot and were tied with the Atlanta Dream for the eighth spot as of Saturday. Chicago has six games remaining in its season. 

Securing that playoff spot — and then being able to do anything meaningful in the playoffs — will be a challenge without Reese who has already established herself as one of the team's best players. 

This also probably ends any Rookie of the Year debate that was still lingering as Indiana Fever guard Clark has helped drive the Fever into the playoffs while also playing dominant basketball in the second half of the campaign. A premature end to Reese's season makes it even more difficult for her to be the top vote-getter.