Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball is offering to pay any potential fines imposed on Angel Reese after she was hit with two technical fouls back-to-back.
The Chicago Sky frontwoman was ejected for the first time since entering the WNBA career during Tuesday’s game against the New York Liberty. Reese was removed from the game after accruing two technical fouls during the latter part of the fourth quarter. The first technical foul was imposed for “disrespectful behavior” towards a referee after a foul call. Reese shared her frustration with the ref and then waved as she walked off, which earned her a second technical foul. This led to Reese’s rapid removal from the game.
Wow, Angel Reese just got T'd up twice following a foul call and is gone. No idea what she said: pic.twitter.com/mQE2eTKMEq
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) June 5, 2024
As sports fans debated the decision online, Ball publicly supported Reese on Twitter, letting her know that if any fines were placed on her that he would cover it.
“Ref that threw out @Reese10Angel is weak btw…You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you),” the 26-year-old wrote.
Ref that threw out @Reese10Angel is weak btw… You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you)
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) June 5, 2024
Reese swiftly responded, showing her appreciation for the gesture.
💞😭appreciate you gang! https://t.co/Aupf0jJU6N
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) June 5, 2024
According to CBS Sports, WNBA players incur a fine of $300 for each of the first three technical fouls they receive in a season. These are Reese’s first two technical fouls. The season limit is seven technicals, after which a player will face a one-game suspension.
This comes after Reese was hit with another fine over the weekend for refusing to speak with the press following Saturday’s loss to the Indiana Fever. The league fined her $1,000, though with a rumored net worth of nearly $2 million, it’s unlikely that Reese is phased by the fee.