NBC Broadcaster Provides WNBA Reality Check Over Controversial Angel Reese Foul

As much as fans love the heated rivalry between the Sun and the Fever for all the drama it brings, you could argue the same holds true when the Sun face the Sky. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say WNBA officials probably dread these matchups. Across the first three meetings between the two teams, a total of 9 technicals have been handed out. And once again, at Wintrust Arena this Wednesday, another incident stole the spotlight — this time involving none other than Angel Reese.

So what went down tonight? Angel Reese picked up her eighth technical of the season after a clash with Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards. With just under a minute left in the second quarter, Reese caught Edwards on the head with the back of her hand while battling for position in the paint. Officials reviewed the play and issued the technical, which now means Reese will be suspended for the Sky’s next game against the Fever.  Last year, the limit was seven, but with the schedule expanding to 44 games, the league bumped it up to eight.

While the call wasn’t widely agreed upon, NBA broadcaster Shimmy Miller reasoned why it was a necessary move. When the officials headed to the monitor to review the foul, she was more than pleased to see them taking it seriously.“I am glad, I want them to. I wanted them to look at it, to officiate the game more tightly than the last time these two teams played, based on the history of the game,” she said. Rightfully so.

In Game 1, Bria Hartley pulled Angel Reese’s hair. In Game 2, she got into a fight with Rebecca Allen and Ariel Atkins, and all three ended up ejected. Then, the last time these two faced off, it was Coach Marsh who got ejected after violently confronting the WNBA officials for not calling a foul on Aliyah Edwards when she tangled with Elizabeth Williams. So, of course, the officials were bound to take this matchup seriously.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they do upgrade this to a flagrant one because the action could be deemed unnecessary. And, if they do, Lisa, I’m okay with that too because I think you have to officiate these teams very tightly,” Miller continued.

One could trace the reason all the way back to the Fever vs Connecticut Sun in June this season. Late in the 4th quarter, we saw Sophie Cunningham commit a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon resulting in flagrant foul and ejections. “I am blaming this all on the officials tonight… Players want consistency,” the announcer had said after a scuffle between Caitlin Clark, Sheldon, and Marina Mabrey had gone uncalled earlier in the game. Once the physicality was allowed, there seemed to be room for more, and for Sky vs Sun, it has been a pattern for every game.

Now nobody really knows what Reese’s intentions were, but there was clear contact to the back of Edwards’ head. Both commentators agreed it was a non-basketball play since neither player was actually going for the ball which was probably the reason why the WNBA officials gave Reese the technical.

This game wasn’t the only thing frustrating Reese. Lately, tensions have been building between her and the franchise — and it’s definitely worth taking a closer look.

Angel Reese considering WNBA future

The Chicago Sky have already watched stars like Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, Kahleah Copper, and Marina Mabrey walk away from the franchise because of how things were run. And now, Angel Reese might be next. Her recent comments calling out the franchise, coach, and even her teammates have sent shockwaves through the WNBA community.

“I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me,” Reese told the Chicago Tribune. “But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can.”

Her comments against coach Tyler Marsh and teammates Hailey Van Lith and Rachel Banham haven’t sat well in the locker room, according to Front Office Sports. And honestly, it does raise the question — could Reese be on her way out if things keep heading down this path? The real test now is whether the Chicago Sky will back her and build the kind of roster she wants next season. Only time will tell.