Angel Reese is taken down on hard foul by Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas before Chicago rookie surprisingly thanks the Sun star for ‘sending a message’

Angel Reese fell hard after a foul during the Chicago Sky’s 82-86 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday evening.

As the rookie grabbed a rebound in the third quarter, Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas grabbed Reese by the neck and pulled down as the LSU product went up to the backboard.

Reese fell on her back and appeared to hit her head on the hardwood. Her soles were at one point further up than the rest of her body before she grabbed her head as she landed.

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

Instead of playing the victim, Reese appreciated Thomas for fighting tough and even thanked her for “sending a message” despite the dangers that came with her rough play.

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

“It’s not because I’m a rookie, I’m a player,” Reese said of the foul. ‘I’m a basketball player. They don’t care if I’m a rookie.”

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

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

Thomas is no stranger to calling out tough fouls in the WNBA. During the 2022 semifinals between Chicago and Connecticut, Candace Parker was clipped by a tricky foul from the Sun veteran.

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

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

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

Parker remained on her back for a moment before shaking off the contact, avoiding an LCL injury.

Reese finished Saturday’s game as one of five Sky players to reach double figures. 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 came into Thursday’s game after a convincing win over the New York Liberty. The Sky have a 2-2 record and are seventh in the WNBA standings.

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