While Chicago Sky star Angel Reese achieved records and received another All-Star appearance this WNBA season, she closed her campaign with controversy heading into the offseason.
As previously reported, Reese made a strong statement blasting her team, which resulted in the Sky suspending her for half of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.
However, she’d also suffered a back injury, which kept her out of the second half of that game. That injury sidelined her again for Tuesday night’s matchup, also against the Aces.
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As of this writing, her team’s 10-33 record is just above the last-place Dallas Wings in the standings, so they’ll be watching the playoffs from home. The Sky finish their disappointing season with a home game Thursday night against the reigning WNBA Champions, the New York Liberty.
It’s unclear if Reese will even participate in that final game. Meanwhile, one of the WNBA’s all-time greats shared a strong take on Reese’s situation with the Sky.
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts during the game against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena on August 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts during the game against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena on August 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
During Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston, Parker shared some blunt advice while calling out Reese.
“You have to protect your team and your organization no matter how you feel,” Parker said, adding, “There were so many bumpy rides with the Sparks that I’ve had, and I think the best advice I’ve ever received is to keep things in-house.”
“You can yell, scream, cuss- do all those things in between these walls, but you can’t bring it out,” the former two-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion said.
“Once that happens, it’s hard to gain that trust back,” she said regarding Reese’s situation with the Sky.
🎥Candace Parker REACTS to Angel Reese controversy and suspension!
“In public you have to protect your team & organization no matter how you feel”
“It does take a lot to be a leader”
Via: @PostMovesShow pic.twitter.com/xxThNcCbf7
— JMac | Ball Up | 🏀🏈 (@Gameis_gameLFG) September 10, 2025
According to CNN, Reese made her statement to The Chicago Tribune last week, suggesting her team needed to add better players to the roster, and said she would do what it took to help with that in the offseason.
She indicated later that day that she apologized to her teammates for the remarks, indicating that she needed to work on her “language” and how she delivers her messages. Reese also said she would “be better and grow from” the controversy.
While Parker said it was “huge” for Reese to take steps by apologizing, she also said there’s still a “need for understanding how sacred the locker room is.”
She suggested that the Sky star needs to think about regaining her team and teammates’ trust after making those harsh comments.
“Everybody can throw out ‘leader,’ but it does take a lot to be a leader,” Parker said.
The WNBA legend suggested that the offseason will be an opportunity for Reese and the Chicago Sky to “get on the same page” following her critical remarks.
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