Chicago Sky star Angel Reese will not be participating in the game against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday due to a recurring back injury. She had previously missed ten games this season for similar issues which flared up again recently.

Reese was suspended for the first half of the match on Sunday against the Aces due to comments that were deemed detrimental to the team. However, her back issue prevented her from returning for the second half of the game.

Sky coach Tyler Marsh remarked, “She reported it to us during pre-game, and so in conjunction with the medical staff, we wanted to be as cautious as possible.” He emphasized that Reese has a strong desire to play in the team’s final two games, but her condition will be evaluated daily.

This season has been challenging for the Sky, currently sitting at 10-32, and the team will play in Las Vegas before concluding the season at home against the New York Liberty.

Reese expressed her frustrations in a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune, calling for substantial changes in the roster and expressing uncertainty about her future with the team as her contract nears its end. “I’m not settling for the same results we had this year. We need to bring in outstanding players; that’s non-negotiable for me,” she stated.

Reese also voiced concerns regarding teammates, especially Courtney Vandersloot, who is recovering from a significant injury and may not return. “We can’t depend on Courtney to come back based on her age; we need someone younger with experience who can compete for a championship.”

Reese later apologized for her comments, stating they were taken out of context, but the suspension was still enforced.