Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese was in the spotlight once again, this time for an on-court scuffle with Connecticut Sun veteran Tina Charles that quickly went viral. The physical exchange added fuel to what many see as a budding rivalry between the two teams.
While some fans speculated the moment might spark ongoing tension, Reese responded with poise. In a candid postgame interview, she downplayed any animosity and instead highlighted the mutual respect she shares with Charles, earning praise for her maturity.
Angel Reese Reacts to Heated Clash With Tina Charles
The altercation occurred in the third quarter of the Sky’s 78–66 win over the Sun on June 15. It began when Reese leaped for a rebound and collided with the Sun’s Bria Hartley. During the scramble, Hartley appeared to grab Reese’s hair, and the contact didn’t look accidental.
Visibly upset, Reese turned around and briefly raised her fist, sparking concern that the situation might escalate. As Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Hartley’s teammate, stepped in to calm things down, Reese shoved her aside. That’s when Charles intervened, confronting Reese and defending her teammate. The two exchanged heated words, with cameras capturing Reese shouting, “Say something! Say something!” while officials reviewed the play.
However, the Sky forward later clarified that she did not take it personally. She explained the moment with clarity and class during the postgame press meet. “Obviously the little scuffle that we had, obviously she had to stick up for her teammate,” Reese said.
“But she was like, you know I gotta do that,” Reese added. “Like gotta stick up for my teammate. I was like, you know that’s not personal. Like I love a vet like you. I love a player like you. Obviously, I respect your game. You’ve done a lot of great things for this game.”
Angel Reese on the scuffle between her and Tina Charles. I love them 🥹🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/GDJBqGc0Fo
— Cy Is On BlueSky (@CyDieyi) June 15, 2025
She even praised the eight-time WNBA All-Star, noting her veteran leadership qualities. She added, “It’s great having a vet that really wants to talk to you and make sure you want to get better because obviously when she leaves this game, she wants to leave it in the right way.”
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Despite the heated moment, the night held far more significance for Reese and the Sky. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and moved Chicago to 3–7 on the season. Reese delivered her first career triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, becoming the third-fastest player in WNBA history to reach the mark.
With emotions high and momentum shifting, the Sky now has a reason to look ahead with confidence instead of looking back at the tension.