Angel Reese Faces Possible WNBA Suspension as Technical Fouls Pile Up

Angel Reese may have missed Sunday’s game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever due to a lingering back injury, but her name was still front and center in headlines across the WNBA landscape. And this time, it wasn’t for her performance—but for her conduct.

The second-year Chicago Sky forward is now on the verge of an automatic league suspension after receiving her seventh technical foul of the 2025 season, just 22 games in. One more, and she’ll be benched by rule.

From Breakout Star to Controversial Figure

Angel Reese made waves when she entered the WNBA in 2024 after a historic college run with LSU. Her fierce competitiveness, dominance on the boards, and signature confidence quickly made her a fan favorite—and a target of criticism.

But while she continues to average a strong 13.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season, her on-court emotions are becoming a growing concern.

With seven technical fouls, Reese currently leads the entire WNBA in that category. And under league rules, eight technicals in a single season results in an automatic one-game suspension—something she now teeters dangerously close to.

Not Her First Time Under the Microscope

Reese’s passionate energy has always been a double-edged sword. She thrives off intensity but often flirts with crossing the line—whether it’s barking at referees, taunting opponents, or celebrating a little too hard.

She received her first technical of the season in the very first game against archrival Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, setting the tone for a year filled with friction and flashpoints.

With still over a third of the season left, it’s not a matter of if Reese will get her eighth technical—it’s a matter of when.

WNBA Rules: Clear and Unforgiving

Under current WNBA regulations, technical fouls are tracked strictly. After a player receives their eighth, they are automatically suspended for the next game. Continued technicals could result in more suspensions and financial penalties.

The rule exists to maintain decorum on the court—but it also serves as a warning to high-profile players like Reese, who walk the line between intensity and misconduct.

Sky Coach Speaks Out

Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh addressed the situation bluntly when asked by reporters after the team’s recent loss to the Minnesota Lynx—a game where Reese added her seventh technical to the season tally.

“We’ve tried to mitigate some of those calls in real-time,” Marsh said. “But at the end of the day, it’s the league’s decision. I think the emotions are part of what makes the game exciting. It’s hard to hold back in the heat of battle.”

Still, Marsh emphasized the need for composure, especially with the Sky already struggling to stay in playoff contention.

Reese’s Absence Highlights Bigger Problem

Reese missed Sunday’s matchup with the Indiana Fever due to ongoing back soreness and was ruled out about an hour before tipoff. Her presence was sorely missed, especially in a high-profile matchup that also lacked Fever star Caitlin Clark, who’s battling a groin injury.

The game’s buildup was centered around the potential showdown between the two most talked-about players in the WNBA. Instead, fans got a watered-down version without either star.

With Reese’s availability now in question due to both injury and conduct, the Sky face a deeper crisis—not just in terms of wins and losses, but in leadership and stability.

Statistically Sound, Mentally Shaky?

Despite the noise, Reese’s sophomore season has shown clear growth in key areas. She’s improved her scoring efficiency, become more of a playmaker, and continues to be a rebounding machine. In fact, her 12.5 rebounds per game currently rank among the top in the league.

However, the mental side of her game is under heavy scrutiny.

“She has all the tools to be great, but greatness isn’t just about stats,” said a former WNBA player turned analyst. “It’s about discipline. That’s what separates stars from legends.”

Fanbase Divided

Online, Reese continues to be one of the most polarizing figures in women’s sports.

Supporters praise her unapologetic style and celebrate her as a symbol of strength, confidence, and cultural power in the WNBA. Her fans argue that she’s being unfairly targeted for being vocal and competitive in a way male athletes are often praised for.

But critics say she’s becoming more of a liability than an asset—especially if her behavior keeps costing her team both momentum and games.

The debate rages on, and with social media fueling every viral moment, Reese’s next move will be under a microscope.

A History of Rivalry and Spotlight

Reese’s connection with Caitlin Clark only magnifies her visibility.

From their legendary college battles—where Reese’s LSU defeated Clark’s Iowa in the 2023 NCAA Championship, and Clark got her revenge in the 2024 Elite Eight—their careers have been intertwined from the start.

Every Sky vs. Fever game becomes a media spectacle, and every on-court interaction between the two goes viral.

Reese has leaned into the attention, but as the WNBA becomes more mainstream, the expectations and criticisms that come with it also grow.

Ice Cube Controversy Adds More Fuel

Recently, rapper and Big3 co-founder Ice Cube was asked whether his 3-on-3 league would consider offering Reese a deal similar to the $5 million they offered Clark in 2024.

His answer was blunt—and telling.

“She’s a great player,” Cube said, “but when it comes to sponsors and what they’re looking for, the interest hasn’t been the same. That’s just the truth.”

The comment sparked another wave of debate about popularity, marketability, and media bias in women’s sports—further fueling the pressure Reese faces both on and off the court.

When Will Reese Return?

The Chicago Sky aren’t scheduled to play again until Tuesday, which gives Reese a few days to rest and potentially recover from her back injury. However, even if she’s physically ready, the looming suspension due to technical fouls could still sideline her.

The team’s performance has suffered during her absence. Without Reese, the Sky lack interior dominance and emotional leadership, despite the drama it often brings.

With their record slipping and playoff hopes dimming, every game counts.

Final Stretch: Make or Break?

Angel Reese’s situation is the ultimate WNBA storyline: a rising star, full of talent, personality, and ambition, struggling to balance her emotional fire with the professionalism required at the highest level.

She’s just one technical foul away from a suspension. One moment of frustration from letting her team down.

But she’s also one adjustment away from becoming the true face of the league.

The question is—will she evolve