Angel Reese was thrown out of her first game, a pair of technicals leading to the old heave-ho in the Chicago Sky's 88-75 home loss to the New York Liberty on Tuesday.
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But it's safe to say veteran teammate Marina Mabrey was none-too-pleased. Mabrey was on the court when Reese was ejected.
"She got two techs, she said something to the ref," Mabrey told reporters. "Whatever he felt like was the correct call is what he made. It's more about composure for us in our young years in the WNBA. You've got to get to know refs and how they respond to things."
The Liberty are one of the league's more physical and smarter teams. They know how to defend and get under the opponent's skin — all while remaining entirely professional about it.
Reece did alright, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds. But clearly, the Liberty got under her skin. She took out her frustrations on the officials.
"You can't melt down against them," Mabrey said. "And at the end of the day, we melted down. It's composure."
Meanwhile, Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said she isn't sure why Reese was tossed.
"I tried to get an explanation. I did not," Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. "I don't know to this moment what has happened."
Lonzo Ball, who is still on the Chicago Bulls' payroll despite not playing in about three years, attended the game. He spoke out against Reese being thrown out on social media.
"Ref that threw out @Reese10Angel is weak btw," Ball wrote on X. "You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you)."
Reese responded: "appreciate you gang!"
Reese may appreciate the gang, but her teammate clearly did not appreciate her getting thrown out against a team that knows how to succeed at getting under your skin.
