New York, New York – The New York Liberty secured a dominant 88-75 victory over the Chicago Sky in a recent WNBA matchup. The game took a dramatic turn in the final minutes as Sky rookie Angel Reese was ejected for the first time in her WNBA career. The Liberty held a solid lead of 82-71 with 2:31 remaining when Reese drew a personal foul while contesting a rebound. This initial infraction was followed by two quick technical fouls, resulting in her removal from the game.

The swift turn of events caught many off guard, as at first, it was mistakenly reported that Betnijah Laney-Hamilton of New York had been ejected. However, it was indeed Reese who found herself ejected after a brief exchange with the referee, Charles Watson. Despite confusion on the court, play resumed, and New York ultimately secured the win. Reese’s performance in the game included 13 points, 10 rebounds, and the two technical fouls that led to her ejection.

Following the game, Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon expressed her bewilderment at the ejection, as officials did not provide a clear explanation. Lead official Maj Forsberg later clarified that the first technical was issued to Reese for disrespectfully addressing Watson, while the second was a result of her dismissive hand wave. Reese, who did not speak with reporters post-game, received support from Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, who criticized the ejection.

The incident involving Reese has sparked discussions within the basketball community, with Sky leading scorer Marina Mabrey describing it as a learning opportunity for the young player. Mabrey emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and understanding how to interact with referees in the WNBA. As Reese processes this experience, the game continues to generate buzz in the sports world, adding another layer to the recent events in the WNBA.