Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese suffers a season-ending wrist injury, bringing her record-breaking year to an unexpected finish

Angel Reese’s record-setting rookie season is over after the Chicago Sky forward suffered a left wrist injury during a victory Friday night.

Reese made the announcement on social media Saturday evening. She will miss the Sky’s final six games.

The All-Star forward’s season ended after a dominant 24-point, 12-rebound performance in a home rout of the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday. Reese caught herself on two awkward falls in the second half and showed clear discomfort the rest of the game. Her last basket as a rookie was a 3-pointer — only the third of her WNBA career.

“What a year,” Reese wrote on X. “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. Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so. 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.”

Coach Teresa Weatherspoon declined to give details of Reese’s injury ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Wings. Reese sat on the sidelines in street clothes and shot baskets with her right hand ahead of the game. She will continue to attend all home games for the Sky, but the team has not determined if she will travel for any remaining road games.

From her debut for the Sky, Reese dominated the boards on both ends of the court, leading the league in rebounds with 446. Reese broke the league’s single-season rebounding record in one of her final games.

Despite being the No. 7 pick in the draft, Reese became one of the top contenders for Rookie of the Year behind No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Reese had 26 double-doubles in 34 games while averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds, breaking Candace Parker’s record for consecutive double-doubles with a 15-game streak.

The Sky (12-22) will now face a heated final push for the playoffs without one of their most valuable players. They are tied with the Atlanta Dream for the eighth and final playoff spot. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head matchups, which the Sky lead 2-1. The teams meet for the final time on Sept. 17 in Atlanta.

No. 3 pick Kamilla Cardoso and breakout guard Chennedy Carter will now shoulder the challenge of trying to lift the Sky into the playoffs for a sixth season in a row.

Following her announcement, Reese was met with support from fellow players throughout the WNBA, including Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

“It’s definitely sad anytime you see anyone go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with,” Clark said Sunday. “Especially Angel, you want to see her finish out this year. Obviously, she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things. For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there if not the best in the league. She just doesn’t stop working.”