MIAMI — Angel Reese will miss the Rose’s semifinal sport towards the Laces on Sunday attributable to a hand harm, in accordance with Unrivaled.
Reese sustained the harm within the second quarter of her regular-season finale final Monday. After securing an offensive rebound, Reese seemed to be hit on the wrist and knocked off steadiness. On the Rose’s subsequent offensive possession, she made a delicate shot off the backboard however instantly grabbed her left wrist after the play was finished.
She continued to seize and flex the wrist through the ensuing timeout. Reese began the third quarter with a type of a wrist strap on her left hand however then exited the sport halfway by the interval.
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Reese spent the previous a number of days being evaluated earlier than being dominated out of Sunday’s sport. This is identical wrist Reese had surgical procedure on in September to restore a small crack in her bone, which ended her rookie season early.
In a social media publish in September, Reese defined that medical doctors positioned a really small screw in her wrist to stop the bone from cracking utterly. She stated the operation was profitable.
“Long run, I actually might haven’t performed anymore as a result of this can be a very onerous place to heal as a result of the blood circulate is little to none,” she stated.
The information comes simply hours after Unrivaled introduced that Reese was named the league’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
Reese led the league in rebounds, averaging 12.1 per sport, and tallied a team-high eight blocks for the Rose.
Her protection was an anchor for the Rose, who completed the common season with the most effective scoring protection within the league, permitting solely 65.2 factors per sport.
Reese notched eight double-doubles, together with a 22-point, 21-rebound sport, which was the primary 20-20 sport in Unrivaled historical past.
“Double-double machine. She’s any person who has a knack for rebounding and simply goes after it,” Reese’s teammate Chelsea Grey instructed ESPN. “It is actually onerous to do this constantly. It is lots in your physique. It is a mindset that you must have, and it is one she’s had this complete time.”
Now, the Rose should depend on their different gamers to choose up the defensive slack left by Reese’s absence. Naz Hamilton and Natisha Hiedeman have been assigned to the staff as reduction gamers.
The Rose (8-6) completed second within the league and can play the third-place Laces (7-7) on Sunday within the playoff semifinals. The Lunar Owls (13-1) will play the Vinyl (5-9) within the different semifinal matchup. The Unrivaled championship sport can be performed Monday evening.