Fact check: Did Angel Reese refuse to play for the Chicago Sky after her suspension?

Angel Reese was expected to be back on the court for the Chicago Sky’s final clash with the Las Vegas Aces, but the star forward’s lingering back injury once again kept her sidelined.

The absence fueled speculation that her benching was connected to ongoing tension with the franchise, yet both Reese and her coach insist the decision came down to protecting her long-term health.

“Everyone is focused on the last two games and winning, and that’s where the communication has been with Angel,” head coach Tyler Marsh told reporters before tipoff at T-Mobile Arena.

“Obviously, the hope was to play her last game, and she reported the back pain. Coming into today, she went to shootaround again, and she was fine, so we are hoping to get her on the floor today. The expectation is for Reese to play tonight.”

That expectation never materialized. Despite appearing at shootaround, Reese was held out for the game after again reporting discomfort.

For the Sky, it was a familiar story. The 23-year-old had already missed 10 games earlier this season with back issues and has been monitored closely by Chicago’s medical staff.

Between suspension and speculation
Reese’s absence comes just days after she was suspended for one half of a game following candid remarks to the Chicago Tribune, in which she called for the Sky to build a stronger roster around her.

The punishment drew criticism, especially since Chicago was recently rated the worst-run franchise in the league in a survey conducted by The Athletic.

After her suspension, some fans questioned whether Reese’s absence against Las Vegas might be tied to frustration with the organization.

A post from Bricks Center on X suggested that she was “purposefully sitting out games” in protest. But Marsh pushed back against that idea after the team’s previous game.

“Yeah, she reported it to us during pregame. And so, in conjunction with medical staff, Angel and the medical staff, we wanted to be as cautious as possible,” he explained.

For Reese, the truth appears far more straightforward: she is playing through a recurring injury in a season where the Sky are already out of playoff contention. Chicago has little reason to risk further damage to its cornerstone player, especially given her relentless style of play.

The numbers underscore how valuable she has been when available. Reese is averaging 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, leading the team in all three categories.

She also became the fastest player in WNBA history to collect 300 rebounds in a single season and holds the record for six straight games with at least 15 boards.