The WNBA rescinded one of two technical fouls assessed to Angel Reese after the rookie earned the first ejection of her professional career Tuesday during the Chicago Sky’s 88-75 loss to the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena.
Reese received two technical fouls during a dead ball after she was called for a personal foul on Jonquel Jones with 2 minutes, 31 seconds remaining. Referee Charles Watson assessed the initial technical after Reese “disrespectfully addressed” him, according to lead official Maj Forsberg, who spoke to the media after the game.
After the first technical call, Forsberg said Reese “waved off the calling official in resentment to the call,” which earned a second technical and automatic ejection.
A league spokesperson confirmed Wednesday morning that after review, the second technical was rescinded.
Forsberg declined to elaborate on the content of the comment that earned Reese the first technical. Reese had not received a warning earlier in the game, Forsberg said. Per league policy, she will be fined $200 for the first technical.
Coach Teresa Weatherspoon said the officiating crew declined to explain the decision to the Sky coaching staff.
“I tried to get an explanation and I did not,” Weatherspoon said during her postgame news conference. “I don’t know at this moment what has happened.”
Before the ejection, Reese had been an anchor for the Sky on both ends of the court, tallying 13 points, 10 rebounds and a blocked shot. The Sky erased a 17-point first-half deficit to lead by three late in the third quarter, but they trailed by 12 when the ejection occurred.
Bulls players Lonzo Ball, Dalen Terry and Patrick Williams were seated courtside directly in front of the ejection and voiced complaints about the call.
“Ref that threw out (Reese) is weak,” Ball wrote on social media. “You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you).”
Reese responded to Ball’s post with emojis and the words “appreciate you gang!”
💞😭appreciate you gang! https://t.co/Aupf0jJU6N
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) June 5, 2024
Breanna Stewart scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu added 24 points for New York, which won its fourth straight game.
The Liberty opened with a 21-6 run, making five of their first seven 3-pointers, while the Sky started 3 of 16 from the field. After falling behind 29-12 late in the first quarter, the Sky responded by scoring 33 points in the second to get within 49-48 at the break.
The Liberty started the fourth quarter on a 15-2 run, including 10 straight points, to wipe out a one-point deficit after three quarters and lead 80-68. The score was 83-71 when Reese was ejected.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 14 points for the Liberty, who avenged a 90-81 loss to the Sky on May 23 in New York.
Chennedy Carter scored 16 points off the bench to lead the Sky, while Marina Mabrey scored 15 and Elizabeth Williams had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Kamilla Cardoso, who scored 11 points in her WNBA debut Saturday, was held to one point in 12 minutes. She is on a minutes restriction after her return from injury.
Associated Press contributed.
