The WNBA has rescinded the second of two technical fouls from Tuesday night that led to the ejection of Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese. Reese was ejected in the final minutes of the Sky’s 88-75 loss to the visiting New York Liberty with 2:31 remaining. Referee Charles Watson initially called Reese for a personal foul as she fought for a rebound, after which Reese briefly protested the call and waved her hand, leading Watson to whistle her for two quick technical fouls – leading to her ejection.
Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday the league has rescinded the second technical foul on Reese, citing a league spokesperson. The ejection took place with 2:31 remaining in the fourth quarter. Reese finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes, and did not appear at the news conference after the game.
Officials initially did not offer an explanation for the technical fouls and Reese’s ejection; after which, lead official Maj Forsberg told reporters after the game that Watson issued the first technical to Reese for “disrespectfully addressing” him, though its unclear what Reese said. Reese’s hand gesture, which prompted the second technical foul, is the one that the WNBA decided to rescind.
WNBA players are fined $300 per technical for the first three techs they receive in a season. After the second one was rescinded, this is the first technical for Reese. The limit for the season is seven, after which a player will be suspended one game.
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