VIDEO: Angel Reese 5-Finger Slapped Mystics Kiki Iriafen In The Face After Missing A Layup

Angel Reese trying to get a rebound (Photo via Twitter)
Cameras caught Angel Reese committing an unnecessary cheap shot on Kiki Iriafen after missing a layup in Tuesday night’s game between the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics.

Reese and the slumping Sky fell 79-72 to the Mystics at home on Tuesday night, their fourth defeat in the last five outings. The loss dropped Chicago to 3-8 on the season, and to 1-3 at home.

Frustration appears to be growing for Reese, who committed this unnecessary hit to the face on Kiki Iriafen after missing a layup in the game:

Well, Reese told reporters last year that she was happy to take on the role of being a “villain” in the WNBA. Her feud with Caitlin Clark has helped Reese live up to that label, but this cheap shot on Iriafen should help take it to another level.

The Sky will look to get back on track when they host the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Angel Reese Gave Chicago A Fighting Chance vs. Washington

Angel Reese (Chris Jones-Imagn Images)
Angel Reese did her part to keep the Sky in the game, recording 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. She was one of three Chicago players to finish with double-digit points, along with Kamilla Cardoso (18 points) and Ariel Atkins (10 points).

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’