Angel Reese’s Unrivaled injury threatens team’s postseason chances

Angel Reese has had a phenomenal Unrivaled season; she’s averaged 13.1 points per game and a league-best 12.1 rebounds, and her Rose Club has surged through the standings after a tough start to finish with the league’s second-best record.

But, her availability for the weekend’s postseason action is in question after she appeared to suffer a wrist injury on Monday night. Reese had surgery for a wrist injury in September; she suffered a small crack in a bone in her left wrist and missed the final weeks of her rookie season, turning to social media to initially break the news.

Reese appeared to clutch at that same wrist on Monday night and didn’t play in the second half of Monday’s game, a 92-58 Rose win over the Mist.

Rose head coach Nola Henry didn’t offer additional information in her postgame media availability.

“No update on Angel, but hopefully, we’ll have one soon,” Henry said. “Sending her our best wishes.”

Unrivaled’s postseason begins on Friday, with the Laces and Rose slated to face off at 7:30pm. The winner of that game will advance to the championship game, set for Monday night.

Reese has been a massive part of the Rose Club’s success this season, and her absence would require other players to step up. Chelsea Gray has been the team’s most valuable player; she’s averaged 21.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, and has been pivotal in the Rose’s second-half push. Gray’s load will be particularly substantial with Reese out because Kahleah Copper, the club’s second-leading scorer, has been out with an injury since Feb. 7.

The Rose will need to rely on other players in the event they lost another player to injury. Azura Stevens will likely see additional minutes in Reese’s absence; she’s averaged 11.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per night. Brittney Sykes has also been key off the bench; she’s averaged 11.4 points in 13.2 minutes per game. Lexie Hull rounds out the roster with 6.2 points in 11.5 minutes per night.

Beyond that, with the Chicago Sky’s season just a few months away, a wrist re-injury could threaten Reese’s early availability. The Sky’s preseason will tip-off on May 2, with their first exhibition game taking at Reese’s alma mater, LSU.

It’s very possible Reese was just experiencing some soreness and could be back in the lineup in time for Friday’s action. But, Unrivaled fans and WNBA fans will hold their breath until the league offers more information on her injury status.