Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has once again found herself at the center of WNBA controversy. The rookie-turned-rising star picked up her eighth technical foul of the 2025 season last night, triggering the league’s automatic one-game suspension rule.
The incident unfolded late in the third quarter of the Sky’s matchup, when Reese appeared to smack Washington Mystics rookie Aaliyah Edwards during a heated battle under the rim. Officials quickly assessed a technical foul, adding to Reese’s already league-leading tally.
Edwards Fires Back
After the game, Edwards didn’t hold back when asked about the altercation.
“Angel Reese has been a dirty player since college,” Edwards said bluntly. “Last night she showed us who she is again.”
Her sharp words reignited a debate that has followed Reese since her LSU days — is she simply a physical competitor, or does her fiery style cross the line?
Sky star Angel Reese picks up 8th technical foul of 2025 season, triggering automatic 1-game suspension after smacking Aaliyah Edwards.
Angel Reese has reached the WNBA’s technical foul limit. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Barring a reversal of course by the WNBA, Angel Reese will miss the Chicago Sky’s next game.
The Sky star picked up her eighth technical foul of the season Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension without pay from the WNBA unless the league rescinds the foul. Reese entered the game with a WNBA-high seven techs.
The fateful eighth came in the Sky’s 88-64 blowout win over the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena. Reese picked it up just before halftime when she smacked Aaliyah Edwards in the head while they were fighting for position for a rebound in the paint.
The technical foul limit was previously seven in a season, which the WNBA bumped up after expanding the season to 44 games in 2025. Reese will also face a suspension for every two techs she picks up for the rest of the regular season.
Fouls aside, it’s been a strong season for Reese after her record-setting rookie year, earning her second career All-Star nod. She recently became the first player in WNBA history to post multiple double-double streaks of 10 games or more, despite being in only her second season. The technical came just after Reese spoke out about the state of the franchise, and hinted that she’d be fine leaving for another team if given the opportunity.
“I’m not settling for the same s*** we did this year,” Reese said earlier Wednesday. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.
“I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”
The year has been less of a success for the Sky overall, to say the least.
They took a 42-27 lead over the Sun at halftime. Reese had nine points and six rebounds at the break. The team then cruised in the second half to the 24-point win, which brought Chicago to 10-31 this year.
Reese had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Sky, though she shot 4-of-12 from the field. Kamilla Cardoso added 16 points and five rebounds, and Kia Nurse finished with 12 points off the bench. Tina Charles led the Sun with 19 points, and Saniya Rivers finished with 16 off the bench. They were the only two Sun players to hit double figures.
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Assuming Reese’s suspension holds, she’ll be out of commission for the Sky’s game against the Indiana Fever on Friday.
