Newly crowned Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese has a hand injury and will not suit up for the Rose Basketball Club in their semifinals matchup versus the Laces on Sunday, via the league's X account. This is obviously disappointing news for the Unrivaled's inaugural postseason, considering the 22-year-old's massive popularity.

Reese sustained the injury in her team's final regular season game and was tending to her left wrist. That is especially pertinent to Chicago Sky fans, given the fact that she underwent surgery on that same wrist last year and consequently missed the opportunity to compete in the WNBA playoffs.

Chicago is hoping this is just a minor setback that will not interfere with the 2025 campaign, which tips off in two months. Reese and the Sky will fittingly face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in a May 17 season opener that will feature the two most well-known stars in the WNBA today.

Before preparation for the new season begins, though, Reese will be cheering on her teammates in the Unrivaled semifinals. Rose BC will lean on one of the league's top performers, team captain Chelsea Gray, to overcome Kayla McBride and the Laces. Unfortunately, fellow WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper will also be sidelined for the 3-on-3 clash due to a leg injury, leaving the Rose in dire straits.

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Angel Reese has taken another step forward in Unrivaled

Reese's absence will be sorely felt. The Unrivaled Second-Team selection averaged 13.1 points and a league-best 12.1 rebounds in 14 regular season games, helping Rose BC earn second place out of six teams in the standings, behind only the 13-1 Lunar Owls .

Angel Reese is receiving a significant amount of money to play in the league, which is co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, but apart from that, the 2024 WNBA All-Star and rebounding leader appreciates the chance to further hone her skill set. Reese has tried to step out of her comfort zone a little more, experimenting with a 3-point shot that she aims to bring to Chicago next season.

Above all else, though, the Sky just want their franchise cornerstone to be healthy. The severity of this hand injury remains unclear at this time. Rose-Laces commences at 7:30 p.m. ET on truTV.