Angel Reese was choke-slammed to the floor by Alyssa Thomas during the Connecticut Sun’s 86-82 win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday night.
Early in April, Angel Reese stated unequivocally that she aspired to be “knocked down and learn and grow at the next level.” Every time the rookie for the Chicago Sky is knocked down, she rises back up with elegance.
The incident occurred during a third-quarter rebounding contest between Reese and 2023 WNBA MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas.
Thomas put her arm around Reese’s neck and swung her back as Reese leaped into the air to catch the rebound.
As a result, the “Chi Barbie” fell hard to the ground.
Referees called Thomas a flagrant foul two for the hit on the star rookie, and the vicious foul resulted in her ejection.
Alyssa Thomas exited the game with nine points, six assists, and six rebounds. Reese, the seventh pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
The “Chi Barbie” made it plain during the Sky’s postgame press conference that she has no grudges against Thomas for the foul.
“It’s no hard feelings to AT,” Reese said of Thomas, posted on the Chicago Sky’s YouTube account. “Obviously, I know she purposefully probably didn’t do it to me. But just being able to come out there, be strong, and stand on two feet. I mean, it was going to be a tough game, and that’s what I’m built for.”
“I was prepared for it,” she added.
Reese even thanked Thomas for the message her foul sent later in the press conference.
“They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie,” she said, per Julia Poe on X. “I mean, I want them to come at me every day; I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me…”
“Thank you, AT, for sending a message to me because I got back up and kept going and pushing.”
