The Chicago Sky are enduring a challenging 2025 WNBA season, currently positioned 11th in the league with a 7-14 record, tied with the Dallas Wings for the second-worst spot, ahead of the Connecticut Sun’s 3-20 standing. The team’s difficulties may increase as their star forward, Angel Reese, faces the risk of suspension after accumulating seven technical fouls in just 22 games, placing her one foul away from the WNBA’s one-game ban threshold.
Reese, the 23-year-old standout and former LSU player, most recently picked up a technical foul in the first quarter of Chicago’s severe defeat to the Minnesota Lynx. WNBA rules dictate that reaching an eighth technical foul would result in her suspension for at least one game.
Details of Angel Reese’s Technical Fouls and On-Court Incidents
Reese’s latest technical foul followed an off-camera incident with a referee which was categorized as a common foul. She first drew attention to her fouls during a highly publicized rivalry moment against Caitlin Clark in the season opener against the Indiana Fever in May. During that game, Reese grabbed an offensive rebound when Clark slapped her hand forcefully enough to knock her down. This altercation led Reese to confront Clark before the intervention of Fever’s Aliyah Boston, who was subsequently penalized with a flagrant foul after video review.
Since that confrontation, Reese has gathered multiple technical fouls — against the New York Liberty on May 22, the Dallas Wings on May 31, the Connecticut Sun on June 15, the Los Angeles Sparks on June 29, and the Washington Mystics on July 8. This rapid accumulation contrasts sharply with last season, when she only received four technicals throughout the entire year.
Impact of Reese’s Potential Suspension on Chicago Sky’s Performance
Angel Reese’s absence significantly affects Chicago’s performance. The team has clinched just one victory in eight games played without her this season, suffering especially heavy defeats including four losses by over 30 points. When Reese is not on the floor, the Sky’s point differential drops by nearly 13 points on average.
If suspended, Reese would forfeit her salary for the missed game, which occurs at a time when she has publicly criticized the WNBA’s player compensation and the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations. During All-Star weekend, Reese expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals presented to the players, emphasizing the disrespectful tone and content she perceived in the negotiations.
It was disrespectful the things that we were sent back, the proposal that we were sent back,
Angel Reese, speaking to reporters at the WNBA All-Star weekend.
Broader Challenges Facing the Chicago Sky This Season
This season’s struggles for the Chicago Sky extend beyond just record standings. The team’s reliance on Reese underscores difficulties in maintaining competitive results without her presence. The severity of multiple defeats and poor point differentials highlights the gap her potential suspension could widen. Coupled with internal tensions around league issues like pay and player treatment, the Sky face a complex set of challenges as they look to the remainder of the season.
As the WNBA season progresses, monitoring Reese’s technical foul count and the impact of any resulting suspension will be crucial. The team’s ability to adapt without their leading player may determine whether they can recover from their current slump and avoid finishing near the bottom of the league.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. “I injured my hand when I fell during a play and ended up with a small bone crack,” Reese explained in a TikTok video late Sunday. “The doctors said I could choose to either have surgery or not.”
Q. Why did McDonald’s partner with Angel Reese?
A. This collaboration is focused on honoring excellence. It’s McDonald’s first nationwide meal partnership with a female athlete, aiming to highlight future stars.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Sports are a family tradition for Angel because both parents played basketball during college. Her mom even took it further by playing professionally in Luxembourg. In January 2023, Angel shared with Just Women’s Sports that her mom has always been independent and inspired her to be the same.
Q. How much money did Angel Reese get from McDonald’s?
A. McDonald’s offered Angel Reese $16 million. She earns around $75,000 yearly in the WNBA, so this deal equals about 213 years of her WNBA salary.