Rookie Angel Reese Appreciates Alyssa Thomas’ Aggressive Play After Ejection

Rookie forward Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky expressed gratitude towards Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun for her aggressive play during their recent matchup. The game, which ended with an 86-82 victory for the Sun, saw an intense moment between Reese and Thomas due to their shared Maryland connection. Despite being ejected for a flagrant foul, Reese maintained a positive outlook on the incident.

The altercation unfolded in the third quarter as Reese and Thomas vied for a rebound under the basket. Thomas, in a forceful move, grabbed Reese by the neck and forcefully brought her to the ground. The referees promptly reviewed the play, resulting in a Flagrant 2 foul on Thomas and an automatic ejection from the game.

Speaking at a postgame press conference, Reese assured that she held no ill will towards Thomas for the incident. She appreciated Thomas for the competitive message sent and commended her for not holding back during the game. Reese acknowledged their prior connection from their Maryland days and expressed gratitude for Thomas’ relentless play.

Despite the intense moment, Reese continued to compete, finishing the game with 13 points and five rebounds. Since being selected as the 7th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese has made a solid impact for the Sky. Currently, she ranks second among rookies in scoring with an average of 12.3 points and leads in rebounds with 7.8 per game.