The Chicago Sky have made the decision to bench Angel Reese for the first half of their game against the Las Vegas Aces, as a result of comments she made that were deemed detrimental to the team. The star forward, who currently averages 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, is also facing a one-game suspension for accumulating her eighth technical foul of the season. The decision comes as the team is in the middle of a difficult season, recently suffering a 20-point loss when Reese was sidelined.
The comments she made have been a topic of discussion within the team, with the Sky stating that they value the safety, respect, and well-being of all players. They also emphasized the importance of accountability for the players to stay focused on their basketball goals. Reese voiced her frustrations with the team, indicating she might have to move in a different direction if the team’s outlook didn’t improve soon. She walked back these comments shortly after the game and had already apologized to the team.
Reese, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has been an important part of the team this season, appearing in 30 games. Her suspension and benching come at a time when the Sky are struggling, as they have a record of 10-31 so far this season. The team has also experienced a tough loss when she was sidelined, making this a significant moment for the team’s performance and dynamics.