Shocking WNBA news: Angel Reese was slapped with a staggering $500,000 fine, a five-game suspension, and a host of additional penalties after the league determined she faked an injury during her highly anticipated WNBA rookie season.

Angel Reese has been hit with a staggering $500,000 fine, a five-game suspension, and a host of additional penalties after the league discovered she faked an injury during her highly anticipated debut WNBA season.

In a stunning and controversial move, WNBA star Angel Reese has been fined $500,000 and suspended for five games following an investigation that revealed she faked an injury during her rookie season. The league’s decision has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, as the highly anticipated rookie season of Reese, one of the league’s brightest new talents, has been marred by the scandal.

Reese, who had been making waves with his on-court performances, was initially sidelined with what appeared to be a significant injury. However, after a thorough review, the league concluded the injury was fabricated, resulting in severe penalties. In addition to the fine and suspension, Reese faces further repercussions that could affect her within the league.

The news has raised questions about the integrity of the game and the length of time players could hold an advantage. Reese’s supporters are rallying behind her, but many are disappointed by the turn of events. As the league moves forward, it remains to be seen how this incident will affect Reese’s future in the WNBA.

Angel Reese clears up mystery surrounding season-ending injury

Angel Reese shut down speculation that she “faked” her season-ending wrist injury.

The rookie, who injured his wrist in Chicago’s 92-78 win over the Sparks on Friday, explained that he will have elective wrist surgery to repair a small crack in a bone in his wrist on Tuesday.

“I fell off my hand when I got the and-one, when I stepped back [and] I fell off my hand and it’s a little crack in my bone,” Reese, the No. 7 overall pick by heaven in the 2024 WNBA draft, said in a video posted to her Tiktok on Sunday night.

“Basically, the doctors told me I couldn’t have surgery or surgery. The risk of not having surgery was that I could literally have arthritis at 22. That wasn’t an option.

“The bone could literally snap and break completely. Right now, it’s like a line… they’re going to put a little screw in. And it wasn’t growing.”

“Long term, I literally couldn’t have played because this is a very difficult place to heal because there’s little to no blood flow,” the All-Star forward explained, pointing to his wrist, which was wrapped in a soft, black cast.

“I’m going to be in a hard cast for four weeks, then I’m going to be in a soft cast for two weeks, which is removable, and then I’m back. Then, in six weeks, I’ll be back to doing my thing, normal life.”

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky pose for a photo on September 8, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. NBA via Getty Images


Angel Reese explained her season-ending wrist injury in a video on TikTok on September 8, 2024.Tiktok/Angel Reese
Reese went on to explain that she did not fake her injury, seemingly addressing online speculation.

“Did I miss an injury? Let’s be real. I literally played with my ankle like a literal golf ball when we played Iowa [in college, when I was at LSU]. Pain, you know I’m hurt when I can’t play,” he said.

“They told me “you are closed, you can’t play”, that’s what they [heaven] told me yesterday… obviously they gave me options to play and deal with the pain as tolerated, but it’s not worth it.

“I want to have a long career in the league. I want to play basketball for a while, so it’s not worth it.”


Angel Reese explained her season-ending wrist injury in a video on TikTok on September 8, 2024.Tiktok/Angel Reese
Reese also shut down apparent speculation that she was pregnant.

“That was never a thing… I want to be clear about this: I don’t have a man to have kids with, I don’t have a ring to have kids with, I’m 22 years childless. And I’m not going to have kids,” Reese said.

“So that won’t be a thing anytime soon. I just want you to know that. Because I know you like to get some clicks.”


Angel Reese explained his season-ending wrist injury in a video on TikTok on September 8, 2024. Tiktok/Angel Reese
Reese said he will be training and conditioning, in addition to keeping up with his off-court ventures, during his recovery.

“So in the meantime, I’ll be on my hard cast for four weeks… during that time I’ll just be lifting, running, conditioning, shooting with my hand, dribbling and doing things with my hand, working on my nutrition,” Reese said.


Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. NBA via Getty Images
“[I’ll still be] modeling, still doing the podcast, still being a badass… and supporting my teammates from afar. Well, not afar, but on the bench… I still think we’re still making the playoffs.

“…obviously I wanted more, but God’s timing isn’t always my timing, so I have to understand that. That’s why I’m in such good spirits because I’ve been through this, and it’s literally small compared to a giant.”

“I’m really looking forward to this new setback of a big comeback. Year 2 is about to be a scary schedule. It’s crazy that my last bucket [of my rookie year] was a three, knowing that going into my second year, even coming into an unmatched league, is up there.”

Reese, along with Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, were the only rookies named to the 2024 WNBA All-Star team.

In his rookie season, Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

The Sky (13-22) face the Mystics (11-24) in Chicago on Wednesday as they try to hold onto the final playoff spot in the WNBA.