Angel Reese suffered a hard fall due to a foul during the Chicago Sky’s 82-86 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night.
As the rookie went for a rebound in the third quarter, Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas grabbed Reese by the neck and pulled down as the LSU product climbed up the backboard.
Reese fell back and appeared to hit his head on the wood. Her soles were higher than the rest of her body at one point before she grabbed her head as she landed.
Thomas was called for a type 2 flagrant foul and ejected from the game.
Instead of playing the victim, Reese appreciated Thomas for competing hard and even thanked him for “sending a message” despite the dangers that came with his rough play.
Angel Reese took a hard fall after being fouled by Alyssa Thomas on Saturday night.
Thomas grabbed Sky’s rookie by the neck as she fell on her back and hit her head.
“It’s not because I’m a rookie, I’m a player,” Reese said of the foul. ‘I’m a basketball player. They don’t give a damn if I’m a newbie.
‘I want them to come for me every day. “I want them to attack everyone,” he added. “You’re not supposed to be nice to me or stand still because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie.”
‘Thank you AT for sending me a message because I got up, kept going and kept pushing. AT and I have been great since we were in Maryland, so I know there are no hard feelings. I appreciate you reaching out to me every day or today.
Thomas is no stranger to drawing hard fouls in the WNBA. During the 2022 semifinal series between Chicago and Connecticut, Candace Parker was targeted for a problematic foul by the Sun veteran.
After grabbing a rebound, the future Hall of Famer attempted to start the fast break for Chicago. However, before Parker could take a second step, Thomas planted his right knee on Parker’s left side.
After the game, Reese thanked Thomas for “sending him a message” in a competitive spirit.
Thomas is no stranger to hard fouls and has a reputation as a dirty player in the WNBA.
Parker briefly remained on his back before shaking off the contact, avoiding what could have been an LCL injury.
Reese finished Saturday’s game as one of five Sky players to score in double figures. Reese and Dana Evans scored 13 points behind Marina Marbey’s 23.
Meanwhile, Chennedy Carter and Elizabeth Williams scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Chicago entered the game after a convincing victory over the New York Liberty on Thursday. The Sky have a 2-2 record and are seventh in the WNBA standings.
Reese and the team will return to action on Tuesday when they host the Seattle Storm in Chicago.