Heated moments? Check. Elite talent? Absolutely. The Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese rivalry is one of the most exciting storylines in basketball over the past couple of years, with everything in it. Right from that “You can’t see me” celebration from Reese in Clark’s face at the 2023 NCAA title game, this was bound to be the spark that adds that extra flavor to the WNBA. The opening night set off the fireworks with Caitlin Clark’s triple-double against Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky. That flagrant foul on Reese turned more heads than her performance. 

Since then, things seem to have cooled off as Clark was out with an injury for their second matchup, which the Fever ended up winning. The same seems to be the case for their upcoming game, as Fever clearly stated in their latest update, “There is no timetable available for Clark’s return.” 

This time, even Reese is doubtful, as she is also having some injury issues. Coach Tyler Marsh said, “We don’t really want to push her too much with the back injury. Want to be careful with that. But she’s progressing as well, so still day-to-day.” And she is a game-time decision for the Fever-Sky game. Even with one crowd puller almost guaranteed to be sidelined and another on the edge of being so, fans are lining up to get to their seats at the United Center.

The tiny sliver of hope they held of seeing the Chi-Town Barbie against her chief rival was quashed when she was not seen in the pre-game warmups with the team. Shortly after, she was officially ruled out of the game, citing her back injury. Before the back injury, Reese missed a game before the All-Star break with a leg injury. This addition to their ever-growing injury report makes 4 unavailable players, with some good news in the return of Michael Onyenwere. It’s been tough, to say the least, for the Chicago Sky as the gruelling schedule has tested the non-existent depth of this Sky side.

Fever will be a big test for this Sky squad, which has struggled in the previous matchups with Reese in the lineup. Because of so many omissions, with Reese being the most important by far, the task gets more uphill. It gets worse considering the fact that the Indiana Fever are doing much better without Caitlin Clark. They are coming off a commanding win over A’ja Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces, who have been leagues better as a team than the Sky this season. They are on a four-game skid, which could just as easily turn into worse as Reese faces a suspension when she comes back. However, Coach Marsh has revealed that they are doing something about it.

Chicago Sky Push to Overturn Angel Reese’s Technical Fouls

Angel Reese is having a historic season by all accounts. In her last matchup against the Minnesota Lynx, she became the first player in WNBA history to have multiple streaks of 10-plus double-doubles. She is averaging 13.8 points, 3.7 assists, and crashing the boards at 12.5 per game. However, there is one area where she has an unwanted lead, that is, the technical fouls. 

The 23-year-old has two more than the next-closest player, after picking up her seventh of the campaign in the defeat to the Minnesota Lynx, leaving her on the verge of a one-match suspension. Last season, she would have received the ban already, but the limit has been increased to 8 because of the extended schedule. Beyond the 8 games, Reese is risking a game suspension for every two technical fouls received. However, the team is working to reduce a couple of those technicals from her list to get her in a safer space.

“We’ve done our work on our side to try to get a couple of those rescinded in the moment and beyond, and that’s up to the league’s discretion,” Marsh said. “I think, across the board, it’s part of the entertainment of the game. It’s hard to control the passion in the heat of the moment.”

According to WNBA rules, teams can appeal technical fouls assessed to their players, and the league office ultimately decides whether to overturn them after reviewing game footage and circumstances. However, Reese had one of her technicals rescinded last season when her T’ sign was initially reprimanded. She was ejected from that game against the Liberty as it was the second of her games. She had a total of four last season, and the fact that number has not only been met but comfortably overshadowed is a worrying sign.

You can shrug these things off as the “passion of the game,” but Reese is a professional now. Every player is passionate, and even if the referees are subpar, as evidenced by the multiple complaints, she needs to take the high road for her and the team’s sake. The injuries just pile on the frustrations, but the 23-year-old needs to keep working in her lane and commanding the court. Even the fans want her to play at her best without any unnecessary infractions like the technicals. The referee problem is a long-term battle that can be dealt with later on.