Angel Reese Reveals Her Routine When Home Alone After Injury

In a candid Instagram Live session that drew over 200,000 viewers, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese opened up about the solitude and self-care that’s defined her days since a nagging back injury forced her out of the 2025 WNBA season. The 23-year-old phenom, who burst onto the league scene with record-breaking rebounding stats in her rookie year, has been sidelined since mid-July, missing the final 15 games including the Sky’s season finale against the New York Liberty on September 11. What began as a precautionary rest after a heated suspension earlier in the season evolved into a full-blown setback, with medical evaluations confirming the back issue would keep her off the court for the remainder of the campaign.

Reese’s absence has been a blow to the Sky, who finished the year with a disappointing 12-28 record, their worst since 2018. The injury, described by team sources as chronic lower back strain exacerbated by the physical demands of her high-flying style, first flared up during a grueling road trip in late June. Despite initial optimism, Reese was ruled out indefinitely, and by August, the prognosis was clear: no return in 2025. “It’s been tough, y’all,” Reese admitted during the stream, her voice steady but laced with vulnerability. “Basketball is my everything, but right now, it’s about healing from the inside out.”

For fans glued to their screens, the real revelation came when Reese peeled back the curtain on her “home alone” routine—a deliberate blend of quiet reflection, gentle movement, and unexpected greenery that’s become her anchor amid the isolation. Far from the spotlight of sold-out arenas, Reese’s days in her Chicago apartment unfold with a rhythm that’s equal parts therapeutic and transformative.

It starts at dawn with a ritual of light training, nothing that risks her recovery but enough to keep her body humming. “I do yoga flows focused on core stability—cat-cows, child’s pose, maybe some bird-dogs,” she shared, demonstrating a few poses on camera. Guided by her physical therapist via Zoom, these sessions last about 30 minutes, emphasizing mobility over intensity. “The back’s been my nemesis this year, but I’m learning to listen to it, not fight it,” Reese said. She pairs this with swimming laps in a nearby pool, the water’s buoyancy a gentle hug for her spine. It’s a far cry from her on-court ferocity, where she averaged 13.2 rebounds per game before the injury, but Reese insists it’s rebuilding her foundation. “Light work keeps the rust off without the pressure. I’m not rushing back—2026 will be my revenge tour.”

But it’s the quieter, earthier side of her routine that stole the show: gardening. Reese confessed to turning her balcony into a mini urban jungle, planting herbs, succulents, and even a few dwarf fruit trees as a stress-buster. “Y’all know I love manifesting, right? Well, watching these babies grow? That’s pure therapy,” she laughed, panning the camera to show pots overflowing with basil and mint. What started as a pandemic hobby during her LSU days has evolved into a daily devotion. Mornings often find her in gloves and a sunhat, repotting soil or pruning leaves, the repetitive motions a meditative escape from the mental toll of sidelined stardom. “Planting grounds me—literally,” Reese quipped. “When the world’s spinning too fast, digging in the dirt reminds me life’s about roots, not just highlights.”

This green-thumb habit isn’t just whimsy; it’s strategic self-care. Reese credits it with easing the anxiety that crept in post-injury, especially after skipping her exit interview amid swirling trade rumors. “Alone time used to feel lonely, but now it’s sacred. I journal, I read—lately, it’s been a lot of Audre Lorde and plant care books. And yeah, I cry sometimes. That’s healing too.” Her openness resonated, sparking a flood of fan messages sharing their own coping stories.

As the offseason looms, Reese’s focus sharpens on full recovery. She’s already eyeing offseason workouts with the Sky’s staff and hints at potential endorsement deals tied to wellness brands. “This break? It’s a plot twist, not the end,” she declared. “I’m planting seeds for what’s next—on and off the court.” For a player who’s redefined resilience in the WNBA, Reese’s routine isn’t just survival; it’s a blueprint for blooming through the pain.