Angel Reese accused of faking a back injury after missing Chicago Sky's last five games

After missing the Chicago Sky's last five games with a back injury, one of Angel Reese's loudest critics has accused her of faking the ailment due to the limited information available on her status. 

Conservative sports commentator Jason Whitlock has blasted Reese, claiming she has 'quit' the team with their disappointing 8-23 record. 

Reese has not played since July 29, with little information made public since by the Sky or the WNBA star herself about the severity of the injury or how it occurred. 

No timetable has been set for Reese to return to the lineup with Chicago more than likely to miss the postseason. 

'I think she's quit on the Chicago Sky,' Whitlock said on Monday. 'She's been claiming a back injury basically since the All-Star break, and there's no details. Every day, we hear that Angel Reese is day-to-day, and every week, there's no update on what she is struggling with, what she's doing.'

'There's nothing. There's no information on Angel Reese. I think she's quit on the season. I think this is a worse version of Kawhi Leonard.'

'I came to this conclusion when I watched the Indiana Fever destroy the Chicago Sky recently in Indianapolis. Guess who wasn't there? Angel Reese. Angel Reese declined to travel to Indianapolis, and her coach said something about she's just focused on her rehab right now, and she's day-to-day.'

'We've never had an explanation on what caused the back injury, what's a time frame for her recovery. All we've heard is day-to-day, and Angel Reese has disappeared.'

Leonard, one of the NBA's biggest stars over the last decade, developed a reputation for sitting out games to be proactive in avoiding injuries despite appearing in full health.  

Reese's only comment on her status in recent weeks has been a social media post that read, 'In due time.'

Reese was at the Sky's practice on Monday as a courtside observer, wearing a hoodie while her teammates went through drills. 

Whitlock has been more positive to Reese in her sophomore WNBA season compared to 2024, when it was a barrage of disparaging remarks aimed at the Chicago forward.