If you’re wondering why Angel Reese is sitting out the Unrivaled semifinals, trust me, you’re not alone. Everyone is scratching their heads, asking, “Why now?” Well, folks, Reese is officially OUT due to a hand injury, and let’s be real—that’s a major bummer for the Rose Club. Just when we thought she was on her way to dominating the postseason, fate decided to throw a wrench in the works.

On March 15th, Meghan L. Hall dropped the latest status update for the Unrivaled semifinals, and well, it’s rough out there. Reese is out with a hand injury, and Kahleah Copper (right leg) is also sidelined. Oh, and Laces BC isn’t exactly thriving either — Kate Martin (left leg) is out, and Jackie Young (illness) is questionable. Not ideal. Especially for the Roses.

So what happened to Angel Reese? Some past ghosts returned, we can say. Her injury in the final regular-season game wasn’t some dramatic crash. She left in the third quarter holding that same left wrist. Yep, the one that gave her trouble before. No hard fall, no collision — just Reese walking off with a towel over her head. Rose BC’s official account posted an update saying Reese had a wrist injury. Then Reese reposted it, called it “false information,” and deleted it. Drama? A little bit. After the game, the coach too didn’t exactly clear things up, saying, “No update on Angel, but hopefully, we’ll have one soon.”

Now we know the deal. Reese is out for Sunday’s semifinal. 

If you’re having déjà vu, it’s because Reese has been down this road before. In September 2024, she fractured the same wrist and had to undergo surgery. The decision wasn’t easy, but as Reese put it: “The risk of not having surgery—I could literally have arthritis at 22 years old. That wasn’t an option.” So yeah, you can understand why everyone’s on high alert. Nobody wants to see a repeat of last season’s heartbreak.

Brutal timing, considering Rose BC started 1-4 but then flipped the switch with a five-game win streak in February — including handing the Lunar Owls their only loss of the season. Rose BC finished the regular season winning seven of their last nine games. That’s huge, right? And Reese was a big part of that. Leading the league with 12.2 rebounds per game and anchoring a defense that held opponents to a league-low 13.1 points per game, Reese was the heart of Rose’s success. Now they’ll have to figure out how to win without her.

And losing Copper, too? Just brutal. Copper has had her share of late-season injuries. Back in 2023, she missed the Sky’s final regular-season game with a toe injury. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but the Sky never really recovered. Now Copper is out again, and the Rose’s playoff hopes are looking shaky.

How bad is this for the Rose? Copper was key to their late-season surge, so not having her alongside Reese is a tough blow. For a team that had built so much momentum heading into the playoffs, this feels like the worst possible time for the injury bug to hit. Especially when they are facing a formidable challenge in the semifinals against the Laces. The Laces, bolstered by the return of key players Alyssa Thomas and Tiffany Hayes from injuries, present a well-rounded opponent. 

Can the Rose pull it together without their two best players? We’ll find out soon enough.

Angel Reese’s Season Was Still Legendary — No Doubt About That

Injuries aside, Reese had a monster season. She was named Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Unrivaled history to win the award. She posted on Saturday, after winning the honour, “God, thank you for getting me through the highs & lows! Be where your feet are & allow yourself growth!”

Her dominance on the glass and defensive presence made her a game-changer for Rose BC all season. The Chi Barbie also made Second Team All-Unrivaled alongside Skylar Diggins-Smith and Rhyne Howard. Not too shabby. And, well, Reese wasn’t just a defensive force. She dropped the first 20-20 game in Unrivaled history with 22 points and 21 boards in that huge win over the Lunar Owls on February 21. She also made headlines when she became the first Unrivaled player to get ejected after two technicals during a heated moment with a ref on February 1.

And let’s not forget — Reese’s influence goes way beyond the court. She’s one of the biggest names in women’s basketball right now. She won a national championship at LSU in 2023 and was the No. 7 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. As a rookie, she led the league in rebounds — even after that season-ending injury.

Off the court, Reese is just as dominant. She graced the cover of Vogue in January, has her own meal at McD’s (complete with her name on the cups and bags), and her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast was named one of Spotify’s Best New Shows of 2024. She’s got the game and the influence.

Even with the injury, Reese’s future looks bright. If she stays healthy next season, she could be in the running for WNBA Defensive Player of the Year — a huge boost for the Sky’s rebuild. A lockdown defender in the post is exactly what they need to make a playoff push.

Reese has already shown she’s an elite rebounder and a capable scorer. If the Sky can add some consistent pieces around her, they could make some noise next year. If not, 2026 might be the year things click. Either way, Chicago’s future looks a whole lot better with Reese on board.

So, while this injury might slow her down for now, don’t be surprised when she comes back stronger, hungrier, and ready to dominate once again.