Angel Reese Out for Semifinals Due to Injury, Challenging Rose’s Playoff Hopes

MEDLEY, Fla. (AP) — Angel Reese will miss the Rose‘s semifinals matchup against the Laces on Sunday due to a hand injury, Unrivaled announced Saturday. The star forward injured her wrist during the regular season finale last week against the Vinyl, marking a significant blow to the Rose’s playoff aspirations.

Reese suffered the injury in the second quarter while attempting to secure an offensive rebound. She appeared to be hit on the left wrist and lost her balance shortly after making a shot off the backboard. Following the play, Oreo grabbed her wrist and continued to express discomfort during a subsequent timeout. Despite attempts to play through the pain, Reese exited midway through the third quarter.

This is not Reese’s first experience with wrist issues. In September, she underwent surgery on the same wrist to repair a small crack in a bone, which prematurely ended her rookie season with the Chicago Sky. The procedure involved placing a small screw to stabilize the fracture. “I literally could have not played anymore because this is a very hard place to heal,” Reese shared on social media shortly after her surgery. “The operation was successful, but this is a very hard place to heal.”

Despite injury challenges, Reese has made a significant impact this season. She led the league with an average of 12.1 rebounds per game and recorded eight blocks, complementing the Rose’s top-ranked defense, which allowed an average of only 65.2 points per game. Additionally, her stellar performance included a remarkable 22-point, 21-rebound game, a historic 20-20 performance in Unrivaled history.

Teammate Chelsea Gray praised Reese, stating, “Double-double machine. She’s somebody who has a knack for rebounding and just goes after it. It’s really hard to do that consistently. It’s a lot on your body. It’s a mindset that you have to have, and it’s one she’s had this whole time.”

With Reese sidelined, the Rose will need to modify their strategy and rely on other players to fill the void left by her exceptional defense. Naz Hamilton and Natisha Hiedeman have been added to the roster to assist in this critical playoff matchup.

The Rose, finishing the season at 8-6, will face the Laces, who ended with a 7-7 record, in a highly anticipated semifinal confrontation. The outcome of this game is crucial not only for the team but also for Reese, as fans speculate if this injury could jeopardize her season and future endeavors.