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One of Angel Reese’s teammates came to her defense on Tuesday night after Chicago Sky’s blowout loss to the reigning champion New York Liberty.
New York is 9-0 to start the season, while Reese’s cloud fell to 2-6.
After the game, Reese was asked about the online control she is facing.
Reese became emotional while answering the question, which is when Ariel Atkins, who spent last season with Washington Mystics, interacted.
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Chicago Sky Forward Angel Reese brings the ball into the court in the first quarter against New York Liberty at the Barclays Center. (Wendell Cruz/Imag images)
“Can I say anything? This is a 23-year-old child, and the amount of crap she gets on one day to day, she still shows up. So no matter what questions you got about our team, basketball clog, we appreciate it. All the other rubbish it is irrelevant,” said Atkins while sitting next to Reese, via ESPN.
“We are here to play basketball. We are having a hard time at the end of the day. This is a 23-year-old child who handles herself with grace. Her crown is heavy. So what else you want to come up with, she needs to have a wall. Because if she doesn’t, people will break her down. Not because of the way she looks, but also the way she bears herself.
“She doesn’t just go around and act like ‘oh, I’m this.’ She knows who she is and we won’t break her down for it.
Caitlin Clark (22) from Indiana Fever and Angel Reese (5) from Chicago Sky during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse 16 June 2024 in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Fever, Sky Matchup draws great viewership like a wounded Caitlin Clark Cheers from the sidelines
Reese has found himself in a rivalry with Caitlin Clark and both Fever and Iowa Hawkey’s fans. Reese said she experienced racism from both groups last year.
It all started when Reese hit Clark with a “You Can’t See Me” Taunt in the final seconds of the 2023 National Championship. Reese then said fans see women’s basketball “not only because of a person – it’s also because of me.”
In their first match this season, Clark Reese hit with an obvious mistake, and Reese had to be held back from Clark. Afterwards, Reese shared a Tiktok who said she was “uncertain” playing in Indiana against Clark.
WNBA investigated allegations of “hateful comments” to Reese of fever -fans who eventually did not “not be substantiated.”
Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Chicago Sky Forward Angel Reese (5) Shake Hands before a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imag images)
Reese average 10.1 points and 12.1 rebounds this season.
