No. 12 Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese rode the bench against the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces on Sunday night, serving a team-issued half-game suspension levied in the wake of the WNBA sophomore's controversial Chicago Tribune interview last week.
"The Chicago Sky values the safety, respect, and well-being of every player. We are committed to accountability so our players can stay focused on playing basketball," the team said in a statement, sanctioning Reese for making what they dubbed "statements detrimental to the team."
Reese served her suspension during the first half of Sunday's 80-66 loss to Las Vegas, before remaining sidelined for the game's second half due a lingering back injury.
Sunday marked Chicago's second straight matchup without the star forward, as Reese previously missed the Sky's Friday clash with the No. 7 Indiana Fever due to technical foul accumulation.
In the aforementioned Tribune interview, Reese criticized the franchise's roster construction, point guard development, and ability to attract free agents in the article, causing a stir across the Chicago Sky organization and beyond.
Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said on Friday that the decision to issue Reese a suspension came from the "top down," and that the team was "just going to handle it internally."
"She has a big influence, whether she says something good or bad, people like to interpret it a certain way," Sky center Elizabeth Williams told the Chicago Sun-Times last week. "I think she understands she just has to be mindful of the language she uses."
How to watch Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky this week
Reese has two more chances to suit up for the Sky this year, with Chicago closing out their 2025 WNBA season by facing the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces again before hosting the reigning champion No. 5 New York Liberty.
The Sky will tip off against the Aces at 10 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage on WNBA League Pass.
Thursday's season finale vs. the Libs will begin at 8 PM ET, airing live on NBA TV.