Chicago Sky Rookie Angel Reese She was ejected after receiving consecutive technical fouls late in the fourth quarter of the team’s 88-75 loss to the New York Liberty on Tuesday.
Reese received his first technical foul after appearing to say something to referee Charles Watson after being called for a foul, then received a second technical foul after waving his hand as he walked away.
According to the WNBA pool report, Reese was “disrespectful” to the officials and then “upset at the call” and ignored the call, which resulted in a technical foul.
“She said something to the ref,” Sky guard Marina Mabry told reporters, “and he stood by what he thought was the right call. For us being young in the WNBA, calm is the most important thing.”
“You need to know the umpires and how they react to things.”
Sky head coach Theresa Weatherspoon said they had “tried to seek an explanation” from the officials over the dismissal but “didn’t get one.”
“At this point we don’t know what happened,” she told reporters.
In a post by former Twitter user X, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball appeared to offer to pay Reese’s fine.
“Btw, weak umpire for ejecting @Reese10Angel… you know who you are (Angel, I keep my money, you win),” Ball wrote to X.
“Thanks guys!” Reese replied.
Reese had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Commissioner’s Cup game but shot just 25 percent from the field.
Breanna Stewart had a great game for Liberty, finishing with a game-high 33 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.
It was the first game the Sky have played since Chennedy Carter was called for a flagrant foul for bumping into Clark during a stoppage in play.
A ‘Tipping Point’ for the WNBA?
Meanwhile, tennis great Billie Jean King likened Clark’s impact on the WNBA to that of Chris Evert on women’s tennis in the 1970s.
King said the current class of rookies “has an opportunity to elevate this league.”
“The WNBA has had a great year with great stars like Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, but this year marks a turning point and it’s all because of Kaitlyn,” she said. USA Today In an interview with Christine Brennan.
“We’re breaking collegiate records, everybody’s wearing the No. 22 jersey, it’s a good thing for the WNBA, for women’s sports. We’re seeing sold-out shows, interest is growing, it’s great for everybody, and we’ve got to keep the momentum going.”
“Whether you like it or not, Kaitlyn is the reason there’s so much interest,” King added. “She’s a superstar. When she does well, everyone does better. The league is going to be better. The veterans built the foundation, and now Kaitlyn and the rookies have a great foundation to take the league to a whole new place.”
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