Injured Angel Reese receives unexpected praise from Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White

Angel Reese’s absence from the Sunday game was announced just minutes before she walked in. The Chicago Sky star was given rest due to a back injury. Talking on the same in a pre-game presser, the Indiana Fever coach, Stephanie White, called her the ‘best rebounder.’ White accepted that Reese poses a challenge to the opposing team with her play style. The comment coming from the arch rival team’s coach highlighted the reputation Reese has built in a short span. Reese averaged 13.1 rebounds per game in her rookie season, making a place in an elite club of top rebounders in the WNBA. The Indiana Fever coach, Stephanie White, attended a presser before the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky game on Sunday night. She poured unexpected adulations on Chicago Sky star Angele Reese, who was sidelined in the game due to a back injury.Indiana insider Brian Hanchen posted a snippet of White’s presser on his X handle. In the video, she is responding to Angel’s absence from the impending game. Here is the complete transcript of the video posted:“It doesn't really change the strategy. We prepare for Angel when she's on the floor. We know that she is the best rebounder in this league.”She continued, “The way that they utilize her in that point forward position sometimes creates some challenges. They also have capable players with size and rebounding ability off the bench. They don't utilize those players in the same way that they utilize Angel, but nonetheless they have great size, great ability to crash the glass, and they're one of the best rebounding teams in our league.”White also said, “ We've got to do our due diligence and keep them off the glass.”The Indian Fever won the game against the Chicago Sky 93-78, cementing their position further. Kelsey Mitchell scored her season-high 35 points in the game.Angel Reese pulled off a double-double in her rookie year. Her rebounding capabilities have been at the top, earning her praise from the Indiana Fever coach. In her rookie year, she averaged 13.1 rebounds per game. The rising star’s terrific performance also earned her support from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently. Shaquille threatened NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III with a punch for his negative reportage against Reese. While the Indiana Fever played without their star Caitlin Clark, from the Chicago Sky’s side, Angel Reese was missing. The Indiana Fever won the game against the Chicago Sky, despite Clark’s absence. In her second season, Angel has continued to display her rebounding genius with 12.5 RPG and 13.8 PPG, repeating her rookie year spectacle.Angel Reese is most known for her dynamic play and exceptional rebounding ability.Angel Reese made 3 and 4 three-pointers respectively in 2024 and 2025.Angel Reese’s new nickname is ‘Triple-double Barbie.’Also Read: Angel Reese shares heartfelt 4-word message for Marquesha Davis as she signs emergency deal with Chicago Sky