Reese took a nasty fall in the third quarter of the Chicago Sky 's 86-82 defeat after Thomas grabbed her by the neck and tossed her aside. Reese was shaken up by the incident as she landed on her head and shoulders, but she continued to see out the game.
Thomas was heckled by fans on social media who condemned her actions, but after the game Reese went out of her way to say that there were "no hard feelings" in an attempt to cool the situation. "I mean, it was going to be a tough game, and that's what I'm built for. And my teammates had my back throughout the whole game, so I was prepared for it," Reese said.
"I mean, I want them to come at me every day. I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they're not supposed to be nice to me. I hope y'all know that. They're not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I'm Angel Reese or because I'm a rookie.
"Like, thank you, AT, for sending the message to me, because I got back up, and I kept going and kept pushing. Me and AT have been cool since we were at Maryland, so I know it's no hard feelings, and I appreciate her for going at me today."
Reese also said how much she admired Thomas, with both players coming from Maryland and starting their collegiate careers there. Reese later transferred to LSU, where she established the nickname 'Bayou Barbie' and elevated her career.
The 22-year-old was selected seventh overall by the Sky and has already been named as Rookie of the Season so far. Reese has shown a lot of maturity since joining the WNBA and has also stepped up with fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso yet to make her Chicago debut due to injury.
Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon is delighted with Reese and her start to the season and credited her mindset after the altercation with Thomas. "That's who [Reese] is. She loves this game, and she takes on every challenge that I put before her," Weatherspoon said.
"We know that she's a rookie, but she's a player. She wants to compete. She wants to compete against the best. And when you compete against those who have been here, know how good they are, all it's going to do is help you to grow. She wants it. She loves it. She enjoys it, just like every other player on this team."
The Sky are now 2-2 for the season, while the Sun extended their unbeaten start to the year and improved their record to 5-0.
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