Title-contending Connecticut Sun lost its MVP-caliber player Alyssa Thomas after she was ejected for committing a brutal foul on Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.
Thomas was battling Reese for a rebound in the third quarter of their Saturday, May 25 WNBA contest when Thomas yanked Reese by the neck and slammed her to the ground. After a pause for review and consultation, officials gave Thomas a flagrant two foul and ejected her from the game.
No word if Thomas will be suspended, but famed journalist Jemele Hill said her actions warranted temporary banishment and pay deduction.
The undefeated Sun held on to maintain a blemish-free season so far by eking out an 86-82 nailbiting victory. The Sky fall to 2-2 on the season.
“It was a physical game out there,” Sun center Brionna Jones said in the postgame press conference, according to ESPN. “I think it was a little out of hand at the beginning, which led into that. But we got to play through it, play through adversity, and we did and came out with the win.”
Reese, who rose to sports prominence as the self-proclaimed “Bayou Barbie” at LSU, was drafted 7th by the Sky and said she doesn’t think Thomas had malice intent when she fouled her.
“Just being able to come out there and just be strong and stand on two feet,” Reese said who got up rubbing her lower back but continued playing. “I mean, it was going to be a tough game, and that’s what I’m built for. And my teammates had my back throughout the whole game, so I was prepared for it.”
Reese was asked after the game if Thomas was trying to send a message from a veteran to a rookie.
“It’s not just because I’m a rookie. I’m a player. And I’m a basketball player. They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie,” she said.
“I mean, I want them to come at me every day,” Reese continued. “I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope y’all know that. They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie. Like, thank you, AT, for sending the message to me, because I got back up, and I kept going and kept pushing.”
