Melissa Tamez/Sportswire Icon/AP
Angel Reese was ejected for the first time.
CNN
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Chicago Sky Rookie Angel Reese She was ejected late in the fourth quarter of her team’s 88-75 defeat to the New York Liberty on Tuesday after receiving back-to-back technical fouls.
Rees was given her first technical after appearing to say something to referee Charles Watson following a foul call, before receiving a second strike for waving her hand as she walked off.
The WNBA pool report states that Reyes received technical fouls for “disrespectfully” addressing an official and then waiving the referee “displeased with the call.”
“She said something to the referee,” Sky goalkeeper Marina Mabrey told reporters. “All he felt was that it was the right call and that’s what he made. It’s more about our composure in our younger years in the WNBA.
“You have to get to know the referees and how they respond to things.”
Sky coach Teresa Witherspoon said she “tried to get an explanation” from officials about the sending off, but “did not get” one.
“I don’t know at this moment what happened,” she told reporters.
In a post on X, previously Twitter, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball apparently offered to pay Reese’s fine.
“The ref who fired @Reese10Angel is weak btw… you know who you are (keep the money angel I got you),” Paul wrote on X.
“Appreciate, gang!” Reese replied.
Reese finished the Commissioner’s Cup game with 13 points and 10 rebounds but shot 25% from the field.
Brianna Stewart had a great game for Liberty, scoring a game-high 33 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.
Melissa Tamez/Sportswire Icon/AP
Reyes received two quick technical fouls.
This was the Sky’s first game since Chindi Carter was flagrantly fouled for colliding with Clarke during a stoppage of play.
Meanwhile, tennis great Billie Jean King likened Clarke’s influence on the NBA to Chris Evert’s influence on women’s tennis in the 1970s.
The current rookie class “has a chance to set this league on fire,” King said.
“As amazing as the WNBA is, with amazing stars like Maya Moore, Cheryl Swoopes, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Aja Wilson, and Brianna Stewart, among others, this year is a turning point, and it’s because of Caitlyn.” I told USA Today In an interview with Christine Brennan.
“Breaking records in college, everyone wears No. 22. Things are going well for the WNBA and women’s sports. They’re great for everyone with all these sales and all this attention and we have to keep it going now.
“Like it or not, Caitlyn is the reason for a lot of this attention,” King added. “She’s a star. When she does well, everyone does better. The league is going to be better. The veterans have been the building blocks and now Kaitlyn and this rising class have this amazing platform to take the league to a whole new place.”
