Chicago, Illinois – Chicago Sky’s rookie, Angel Reese, faced ejection in a recent game against the New York Liberty. The game ended in an 88-75 defeat for the Sky, with Reese receiving two technical fouls late in the fourth quarter.
Reese’s first technical came after an interaction with referee Charles Watson following a foul call, followed by a second technical for a gesture towards the official. According to a WNBA pool report, Reese’s actions were deemed disrespectful and resentful towards the referee’s call.
Teammate Marina Mabrey highlighted the importance of maintaining composure, especially for young players in the WNBA. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon expressed frustration at the lack of explanation for Reese’s ejection from the officials.
In a gesture of support, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball offered to cover Reese’s fine, criticizing the referee for the ejection. Reese, appreciative of the support, responded positively.
Despite the setback, Reese finished the game with 13 points and 10 rebounds, albeit shooting only 25% from the field. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty put up an impressive performance with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.
The game marked the first for the Sky since Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul on Clark during a previous match, sparking discussions about the impact of the current rookie class on the WNBA. Tennis icon Billie Jean King drew parallels between Caitlin Clark’s influence on the league and that of Chris Evert on women’s tennis in the 1970s.
King praised the current rookie class for their potential to elevate the WNBA to new heights, emphasizing the importance of players like Caitlin Clark in attracting attention and driving the league forward.
As the WNBA continues to evolve, the contributions of emerging stars like Clark are seen as instrumental in shaping the future of the league. The support and recognition from figures like King highlight the significance of these young talents in propelling women’s sports to greater heights.