Angel Reese Sits Out of 3rd-Straight Game After Controversial Comments as Fans Hold Up ‘Free Angel’ Signs.

The Chicago Sky star publicly expressed her frustrations with her team on Sept. 7, which resulted in a half-game suspension

Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on while sitting on the bench in the game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena on September 11, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. N

Angel Reese.Credit : 

Angel Reese supporters are making noise.

Fans of the 23-year-old Chicago Sky star let their feelings be known during the team’s matchup against the New York Liberty on Thursday, Sept. 11, which marked the third-straight game the player sat out in the days since she was handed a half-game suspension for her controversial comments about her teammates and the organization.

Meanwhile, Reese — who was said to be sitting out the final regular-season game due to a back injury — was greeted with cheers from the crowd upon her entry into Wintrust Arena on Thursday night.

In addition, fans held up signs in support of the forward that expressed their discontent with the Sky’s decision to suspend the player over her comments.

Angel Reese #5 talks to Maddy Westbeld #21 of the Chicago Sky during a timeout during the first half of the game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena on September 11, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Angel Reese talks to teammate Maddy Westbeld during a timeout during the Sky-Liberty game on Sept. 11, 2025.Michael Hirschuber/Getty

Reese had told the Chicago Tribune on Sept. 3 that she would consider leaving the Sky if they don’t make improvements in the offseason. “I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year,” she said in the interview. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.”

Reese apologized to teammates for her comments, and was given a half-game suspension by the Sky for their Sept. 7 game. She sat out the full game, citing her ongoing back injury, and was held out again in the Sky’s game on Tuesday.

Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky celebrates during the second half against the New York Liberty on September 11, 2025 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

Angel Reese courtside during the Sky-Liberty game on Sept. 11, 2025.Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty

At the Sept. 11 game, what could be her last with the team, fans held up signs saying, “Free Angel” and “Free #5,” in reference to Reese’s number.

Fans, who also wore shirts in support of the standout player, held their signs the direction of the Sky front office. One poster called out the team’s general manager, Jeff Pagliocca.

“Fire Jeff,” it read.

Sky guard Kia Nurse shared her thoughts on the signs after the game. “It’s distracting, it’s been distracting,” she said.

Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky stands off to the side prior to the game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena on September 11, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Angel Reese stands off to the side prior to the Sky-Liberty game on Sept. 11, 2025.Michael Hirschuber/Getty

Reese last played on Sept. 3 against the Connecticut Sun. During the game, she received her eighth technical foul and a league-mandated suspension.

The Sky completed the season without qualifying for the playoffs for the second straight season.

Reese signed a four-year contract with the Sky as a rookie out of LSU in 2024.