Chicago Sky rookie sensation Angel Reese could be forced to sit out her team’s next game after being assessed her eighth technical foul of the season during Wednesday night’s clash against the Connecticut Sun.
The technical came late in the second half after Reese appeared to exchange words with an official following a physical play in the paint. The whistle immediately put her over the league’s technical foul limit, triggering an automatic one-game suspension under WNBA rules.
If the call stands, Reese will miss Friday’s highly anticipated matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever – a game that has been circled on the calendar by fans and media alike due to the growing rivalry between the two rookies.
The Sky, however, are expected to appeal and hope the league will rescind the technical after review. “We’ll let the league handle it,” Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said after the game. “Angel plays with a lot of passion, and we’ll always stand behind her. We just want consistency when it comes to how the game is called.”
Reese has been one of the most scrutinized players in the WNBA this season, both for her dominant on-court performances and her fiery competitiveness. She currently leads all rookies in rebounds and double-doubles, making her a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors.
A suspension would be a major blow to the Sky, who are fighting for playoff positioning with just a handful of games left in the regular season. Friday’s game against the Fever is expected to draw one of the biggest television audiences of the year for the league, adding even more weight to the decision on whether the technical will stand.
The WNBA typically reviews and announces its final ruling on technical fouls within 24 hours. Sky fans – and WNBA fans at large – will be watching closely.
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