Angel Reese missed game vs. Fever with back injury, must avoid another technical foul when she returns

Sky forward Angel Reese missed another game Sunday because of a back injury. When she returns, she’ll have to be careful about something unrelated to her health: avoiding another technical foul.

Reese leads the WNBA with seven technicals. One more, and she’ll receive an automatic one-game suspension.

The last Sky figure to flirt with the limit was former coach James Wade, who picked up six in 2022. But if Reese gets suspended, she’ll join a broader group: Teaira McCowan and Natasha Cloud each served one-game bans last season, and Skylar Diggins did so in 2022.

Coach Tyler Marsh said Reese’s technicals are often the result of passion and competitive fire, which can be hard to control in the moment. That’s especially true in the case of her four double-technicals, which typically have been assessed when she’s jawing with an opponent.

That includes her tussle with Fever center Aliyah Boston in May, after Fever star Caitlin Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese and Boston stepped in. The most recent came July 8 against the Mystics, when Reese and Shakira Austin exchanged words.

Marsh said he has tried to get some of those calls rescinded, but that’s up to the league.

Still, the question hangs: Can Reese go the next 19 games without picking up another?

‘‘She’s aware of it,’’ Marsh said. ‘‘We’re not worried about it.’’

Maybe they should be, though.

The Sky have struggled without Reese, and they’re running out of bodies right now. They had only eight players available Sunday against the Fever.

Though it was the most competitive game the Sky have played without her, Reese’s scoring, rebounding and energy are central to what they do. They can’t afford to lose her to anything else.

Injury update

Forward Michaela Onyenwere returned after missing two games with a knee injury. She played 14 minutes and went 0-for-3 from the field.

Point guard Moriah Jefferson, who has appeared in only five games this season, sat out again. Marsh said the Sky are taking her return day-by-day, given her injury history.

Rookie Hailey Van Lith missed the game with an ankle injury, leaving the Sky thin at point guard.

Marquesha Davis, who recently was signed to a seven-day hardship contract, played eight minutes.

Clark mania

Clark didn’t suit up Sunday — she’s out with a leg injury — but you wouldn’t have known it by the crowd.

Dozens of Fever fans showed up hours early to the United Center to catch a glimpse or score an autograph. When the doors opened, they sprinted — literally — toward the tunnel to get the best spot.

Clark didn’t warm up or take a shot. But when she finally emerged in sweats to sign autographs, fans jumped rows of seats to get closer. For many in the stands, Clark’s appearance was the main event.