The WNBA announced that it’s rescinded the second technical foul on Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese that occurred with 2:31 left in the 88-75 loss to the New York Liberty on Tuesday night.
Reese was thrown out of the game after receiving two technical fouls following a brief interaction with official Charles Watson. The rookie forward appeared to say something to Watson and then quickly waved her hand.
Angel Reese was ejected from tonight's game following this exchange with the referee. pic.twitter.com/rOMo1Wdwja
— Marquee Sky (@SkyMarquee) June 5, 2024
Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said that she was not given the cause for Reese’s ejection, the first of her WNBA career, by the officiating staff. The No 7 pick in this year’s draft finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds but shot 3 of 12 from the floor in the loss.
“I tried to get an explanation. I did not,” Weatherspoon said postgame. “I don’t know to this moment what has happened.”
Head official Maj Forsberg said in a pool report that Reese’s technical fouls were for “disrespectfully addressing” the official and then for “waving her hand in dismissal.”
Reese finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
“She got two techs, she said something to the ref,” Chicago teammate Marina Mabrey said. “Whatever he felt like was the correct call is what he made. It’s more about composure for us in our young years in the WNBA. You’ve got to get to know refs and how they respond to things.”
The Chicago Bulls’ Lonzo Ball, who took in Tuesday’s game from courtside, said on X that he would pay the $400 fine Reese faces from the WNBA for the two technical fouls. (Reese responded: “appreciate you gang!”)
If a player receives seven technicals in the regular season they are assessed a one-game suspension.
Reese was fined $1,000 for failing to talk to the media after Saturday’s loss in Indiana.
The Sky’s Chennedy Carter, who received attention after a hard foul on Caitlin Clark last weekend, was cheered by the Chicago crowd when she entered the game. She was Chicago’s top-scorer on the night with 16 points.
Breanna Stewart scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Liberty. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 14 points for New York (8-2), who avenged a 90-81 loss to Chicago on 23 May. Jonquel Jones, who was scoreless until she made a free throw with 4:16 remaining in the third, finished with five points and 12 rebounds.
