Angel Reese is once again at the center of headlines after being hit with a technical foul during Wednesday night’s showdown between the Chicago Sky and the Connecticut Sun, an incident that will likely result in an automatic suspension.

The Sky may have walked away with a commanding 88-64 victory, but the night wasn’t without drama. In the second quarter, Reese made contact with Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards, an action that immediately drew the attention of officials. The whistle was blown, and Reese was handed a technical foul—the eighth of her young season.

That number is crucial. Under WNBA rules, any player or coach who reaches eight technical fouls in a single season is automatically suspended for one game without pay. For Reese, this means missing critical late-season action, even though Chicago’s playoff hopes have already slipped away.

This isn’t the first time Reese’s physical style of play has sparked controversy. Just a couple of weeks earlier, during an August 23rd matchup, she was involved in a defensive play that left Connecticut’s Leïla Lacan with a scratched eye. Critics accused her of crossing the line and intentionally committing a reckless move, sparking debates across social media about whether Reese’s fiery competitiveness sometimes goes too far.

Still, despite the disciplinary issues, Reese has been one of the few bright spots on an otherwise struggling Sky roster. After showing real promise last season, Chicago has endured a frustrating campaign this year, collapsing under a brutal five-game losing streak that effectively ended their playoff push. With four games left to play, their 10-30 record has officially eliminated them from postseason contention, leaving them to focus on playing spoiler against teams like the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces.

For Reese personally, however, the season has been far from wasted. At just 23 years old, she has established herself as one of the league’s most impactful young stars, averaging 14.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Those numbers not only highlight her talent but also prove she has the foundation to become the cornerstone of Chicago’s rebuilding efforts.

Her frustration, though, has been evident. After yet another season where the Sky failed to contend, Reese was blunt in her postgame remarks. She made it clear that the organization needs to be aggressive in the offseason, saying she refuses to settle “for the same sh*t we did this year.” That honesty reflects her competitive edge and her desire to bring winning basketball back to Chicago.

In many ways, Angel Reese embodies the contradiction of the Sky’s season. She has been dominant and inspiring, giving fans hope for the future, yet her fiery style has also placed her in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. With her looming suspension and another long offseason ahead, the big question now is whether the Chicago Sky front office will take her message to heart and give her the supporting cast she needs—or risk wasting the prime years of a player who has already proven she can shine on the WNBA stage.