Angel Reese says she’s supported by Sky, WNBA during investigation of ‘hateful fan comments’

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Angel Reese said she feels supported by the Chicago Sky and the WNBA while the league investigates allegations of “hateful fan comments” during Chicago’s season-opening loss to the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

“Yeah, obviously there’s no place in this league for that,” Reese said Tuesday after practice. “I think the WNBA and our team and our organization have done a great job supporting me. I’ve had communication from everyone, from so many people across this league. It could happen to me, it can happen to anyone. And I think they’ve done a good job supporting us in this.

“I think I have a great support system. I’m loved by so many people, and obviously, in the moment, it’s hard to hear, but my support system is great. God has protected me in so many different ways. I’ve gone through so many different things in the past couple of years in my life. But I think just having the support and this love and being a part of an organization that really supports me and loves me is something that just I couldn’t imagine not being a part of.”

The original focus of Saturday’s game was the Fever’s blowout 93-58 victory behind a triple-double from Indiana star Caitlin Clark. Reese and Clark, who are longtime rivals, got into it a bit in the third quarter after Clark committed a “take foul” on Reese, who was moving in for a layup. Reese fell hard after the foul and then yelled at Clark, who walked away. Clark was called for a flagrant foul, and Reese split her free throws as fans booed. After that, Indiana took off for a lopsided win.

The Fever won three out of four against the Sky last season. The game, which aired on ABC, was the highest-rated WNBA game in 25 years.

The next day, the story took a turn as the league announced it was investigating a situation at the game. The Athletic confirmed there were allegations of “racial” comments made toward Reese during the game.

The Sky and Fever also released statements. On Monday, Clark addressed the story after practice.

“There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” she said. “Certainly, we want every person that comes into our arena, whether a player or a fan, to have a great experience, so I appreciate the league doing that (investigation). … We’ll leave that up to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.”

Reese answered a few questions about the incident Tuesday, the Sky’s first media availability since the game.

“They understand that this is a priority,” Reese said. “Obviously, there’s no place for this, and I think two days before (the WNBA) put out a (“No Space for Hate” message). The women in this league, they know that and know there’s no space for that. And I believe that every player in this league deserves to be treated with respect and wants to come to work and just have fun and have a great environment to work at. So, I think they’ve done a great job putting that out.”

The Sky, who have a new coach and a restructured roster this season, return to action Thursday night in their home opener against the defending champion New York Liberty.