Caitlin Clark Says Angel Reese’s Season-Ending Injury is ‘Definitely Devastating’

Julia StumbaughSeptember 8, 2024

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark says the early end to Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese’s season is “definitely devastating.”

“It’s obviously, definitely sad, anytime you see anybody go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with, whether it was [Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink], whether it was Angel, and especially Angel,” Clark told reporters before the Fever’s Sunday game against the Atlanta Dream (h/t USA Today’s Christine Brennan.) “Like, you want to see her finish out this year, obviously, she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things.”

Chloe Peterson @chloepeterson67Caitlin Clark on Angel Reese’s season-ending wrist injury:

“It’s definitely sad whenever you see anyone go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with … she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things.” pic.twitter.com/CY3GTqdIeB

Clark continued: “For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there, if not the best in the league, like she just doesn’t stop working. So you know, congratulations to her, I thought she had a tremendous year, and I thought she came to the league and really did what she’s done well her entire career, as long as I’ve known her. So, it’s definitely devastating. That’s never anything you want to see from a player.

“And then obviously, our rookie class has kind of been hit with a few more injuries than you would have liked to see.”

Reese announced Saturday on social media that she would miss the remainder of the Sky’s 2024 season with a wrist injury.

Brink’s rookie season ended in June after the forward suffered a torn ACL during her fifteenth start for the Sparks.

Clark noted she considered both Brink’s and Reese’s injuries were unavoidable.

“For myself, I think just some of those things, you just can’t avoid, especially in their two instances,” Clark said. “Obviously, I don’t know the specific details, but that’s kind of what comes with basketball sometimes.

“So, sad for them, but I think at the same time for myself it’s just continuing to take care of your body, take care of yourself. It becomes a long season, especially when you’re playing game with one day in between, you really have to prioritize that. But, like I said, some of those things are just unavoidable, and it’s sad to see.”

Reese finished the season having averaged 13.6 points and an a WNBA-record 13.1 rebounds per game.

The Sky rookie set another league record in July by becoming the first player to record double-doubles in 15 straight games.

Clark has meanwhile been setting her own records in Indiana, including the single-season rookie assists standard and the fastest run to 350 points and 150 points in a season.

The two have been billed as rivals since facing off in the 2023 NCAA national championship game. Throughout their respective rookie All-Star seasons, both Clark and Reese have expressed respect toward one another.

As Reese looks to heal prior to her debut in the Unrivaled 3×3 league this winter, Clark will continue her efforts to lead the Fever into the WNBA playoffs with a Sunday win over the Dream.