Angel Reese is knocked out for serious fouling by Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas before Chicago rookie surprisingly thanks Sun star for ‘sending a message’

Angel Reese suffered a heavy fall following a foul during the Chicago Sky’s 82-86 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night.

As the freshman tried to rebound in the third quarter, Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas grabbed Reese by the neck and pulled him down as the LSU product went up for the board.

Reese fell onto her back and appeared to hit her head on the hardwood. Her soles were higher than the rest of her body at one point before she clutched her head upon landing.

Thomas was called for a Type 2 flagrant foul and ejected from the game.

Rather than playing the victim, Reese appreciated Thomas’ fierce competition and even thanked her for “sending a message” despite the dangers that accompanied her brutal play.

Thomas grabbed the Sky rookie by the neck as she fell on her back and hit his head

“Just because I’m a rookie, doesn’t mean I’m a player,” Reese said of the foul. ‘I’m a basketball player. They don’t care if I’m a newbie.

“I want them to come to me every day. I want them to go after everyone,” she added. “They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie.”

“Thank you, AT, for messaging me because I got back up, and I kept going, and I kept pushing. AT and I have been cool since we were in Maryland, so I know it’s not hard feelings. I appreciate him picking on me every day or today.

Thomas is no stranger to serious fouls in the WNBA. During the 2022 semifinal series between Chicago and Connecticut, Candace Parker was hit by an embarrassing foul from the Sun veteran.

After grabbing a rebound, the future Hall-of-Famer tried to start the fast break for Chicago. However, before Parker could take a second step, Thomas planted his right knee into Parker’s left side.

After the match, Reese thanked Thomas for “sending him a message” in the spirit of competition

Thomas is no stranger to serious fouls and has a reputation as a dirty player in the WNBA.

Parker remained on her back briefly before shaking off the contact, avoiding what could have been an LCL injury.

Reese finished Saturday’s game as one of five Sky players with double-digit totals. Reese and Dana Evans both scored 13 points behind Marina Marbey’s 23.

Meanwhile, Chennedy Carter and Elizabeth Williams scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Chicago entered the game after a convincing victory against the New York Liberty on Thursday. The Sky holds a 2-2 record, ranking seventh in the WNBA rankings.

Reese and the team will return to action on Tuesday when they host the Seattle Storm in Chicago.