The game between the Connecticut Sun and the Chicago Sky took an unexpected turn when Sun guard Bria Hartley pulled Chicago star Angel Reese’s hair in the third quarter. The incident sparked a reaction from Reese, who flailed her arms and had a heated exchange with Tina Charles. The referees issued a technical foul to both players, while Hartley escaped with a loose ball foul.
NBA Centel, a parody account on social media, humorously claimed that the WNBA had fined Hartley $80.50 for the hair-pulling incident. However, it was clarified that a personal foul does not warrant a penalty or fine in the league.
The play occurred during a rebound attempt by Reese, who was trying to gain possession of the ball. Hartley, in an attempt to stop her, ended up pulling her hair. Despite the altercation, the game continued without further issues.
Reese went on to achieve her first career triple-double, showcasing an impressive performance with 11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, and two blocks. On the other hand, Hartley struggled with shooting, finishing the game with six points on 3-for-10 shooting.
Fans took to social media to express their opinions on the incident, with some criticizing Hartley’s actions and others defending Reese. The game ended with the Chicago Sky holding a 59-54 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, the Sun and the Sky are set to face each other again in mid-August. Despite being at the bottom of the standings, the rematch is anticipated to be intense following the Hartley-Reese incident.
In conclusion, the game between the Connecticut Sun and the Chicago Sky was marked by the controversial hair-pulling incident involving Bria Hartley and Angel Reese. The aftermath of the incident and the players’ performances added an extra layer of drama to the game, setting the stage for a highly-anticipated rematch between the two teams.