The women’s basketball world has been abuzz following the announcement by Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese that she will miss the remainder of her debut WNBA season due to a wrist injury. The 22-year-old forward revealed on Saturday that she suffered a hairline fracture in her wrist, a setback that has garnered both sympathy and skepticism from different corners of the basketball community.
While many have expressed their support and well wishes for Reese, a rising star known for her competitive fire and grit, some detractors have questioned the legitimacy of her injury. The rumors and speculation even went so far as to suggest that Reese was faking it, causing her to address the situation directly on social media.
On Sunday, Reese posted a TikTok video in which she detailed the nature of her injury, clarifying that the fracture occurred during Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks. According to Reese, doctors presented her with two options: undergo surgery to repair the fracture or avoid surgery and risk long-term consequences such as arthritis or a more severe break in the future. After weighing her options, Reese chose to have surgery, prioritizing her long-term health and career.
“The doctors told me I could either have the surgery or risk making it worse down the line,” Reese explained. “If I didn’t get it fixed, I could have ended up with arthritis or a bigger break. It’s not worth it.”
RELATED: Angel Reese Responds to Rumors of Missing WNBA Season Due to Pregnancy
The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, and Reese will be in a hard cast for four weeks, with a recovery timeline that should see her back on the court in approximately six weeks. This means she is likely to be cleared in time for Unrivaled, a highly anticipated offseason tournament, giving her ample time to recover before resuming basketball activities.
In her TikTok post, Reese also addressed the critics who suggested she was faking her injury, delivering a strong response to those doubting her toughness and dedication. “Did I fake an injury?” Reese asked rhetorically. “Let’s be real. I literally played with my ankle swollen like a golf ball when we played against Iowa… You know I’m really hurt when I can’t play. They had to tell me, ‘You’re done. You can’t play.’ That’s what they were telling me yesterday.”
Reese made it clear that while she was given the option to play through the pain, she ultimately decided that it wasn’t worth risking her future in the league. “Obviously, they gave me the option to play and tolerate the pain,” Reese said. “But it’s not worth it. I want to have a long career in the league, I want to play basketball for a while. So it’s not worth it.”
Reese’s decision to prioritize her long-term health over short-term gains speaks to her maturity and awareness of the bigger picture. Although she could have pushed through the injury, with the Chicago Sky currently not seen as serious championship contenders, her choice to undergo surgery is a wise one, allowing her to return fully healthy and avoid potential complications down the road.
Fans of Reese can look forward to her return next season, where she’ll be stronger and more prepared to make an impact on the court.
As she recovers, her response to the doubters shows that she’s not just a fierce competitor but also someone who knows when to put her health first in a demanding sport.
