Angel Reese Sparks Sideline Chaos with Clipboard Smash Amid Chicago Sky’s Narrow Loss to Washington Mystics

Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s breakout second-year forward, was visibly frustrated during Tuesday’s game against the Washington Mystics—culminating in a now-viral moment in which she slapped a clipboard out of a staff member’s hand in the waning seconds of a tense contest at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. That moment overshadowed another dominant performance from Reese, who nevertheless couldn’t help her team avoid a heartbreaking 81–79 defeat Talksport+8On3+8Bleacher Report+8SI+15SI+15Sportskeeda+15.

Tense Late-Game Sequence Sets the Stage

In the closing thirty seconds of regulation, the score was knotted at 77–77. Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins had been whistled for a loose-ball foul and the Sky challenged the call. As the players walked back toward the Chicago bench during the review, Reese intercepted a clipboard extended by Ann Crosby, the team’s director of basketball operations and strength-and-conditioning staffer, knocking it forcefully to the ground. Reese appeared furious and directed the burst of energy toward her teammates rather than toward any opposing player SI+1The Sun+1.

The call stood, setting the Mystics up for critical free throws. Washington center Shakira Austin converted both attempts with just over two seconds left, sealing the 81–79 win for Washington Bleacher Report+5SI+5The Washington Post+5.

Reese’s Response: “Heat of the Moment”

After the game, Reese took to social media to explain herself. “Those **** were pissing me off,” she wrote, referencing her frustration with officiating. She also gave a shout-out to Ann Crosby, noting that Crosby refused to let Reese apologize, recognizing it was done in the heat of the moment. Reese added, pointedly: “Not happening again tho” Talksport+7SI+7Larry Brown Sports+7. Ann Crosby remained composed and professional throughout, later declining to accept the apology, a gesture Reese acknowledged with gratitude and relief Bleacher ReportAthlon Sports.

Reese’s Dominance Amid Team Frustration

Despite the tight loss, Reese delivered yet another elite performance: 22 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists—her sixth straight game with at least 15 boards, extending her WNBA record. She shot efficiently from the line and was active across the stat sheet, though her team ultimately fell short On3+3Talksport+3New York Post+3.

Throughout the night, Reese and Mystics’ center Shakira Austin engaged in a physical, fated matchup. The two had already drawn a double technical earlier in the first quarter. They traded post-ups, rebounds, and trash talk in front of a loud crowd of youth basketball campers, making for a high-intensity environment that likely contributed to Reese’s emotional peak Talksport+15The Washington Post+15SI+15.

The Mystics’ young supporting cast also stepped up—rookie Sonia Citron drilled a clutch three-pointer with just over a minute remaining; Kiki Iriafen logged a quiet yet impactful double-double; and Brittney Sykes provided key fourth-quarter scoring. That collective effort offset Reese’s dominance down low Swish Appeal+2Athlon Sports+2The Washington Post+2.

Fan Reaction: Divided and Viral

Once the video of Reese’s clipboard busting spread online, social media lit up with polarized opinions. Some fans demanded severe discipline: one called for a two-game suspension, another joked about a fine, and yet others condemned what they saw as profound disrespect toward team staff New York Post+4Sportskeeda+4The Sun+4:

“2‑game suspension at minimum.”

“She needs to be fined $50,000, unacceptable behavior.”

“Never disrespect your coaches.”

At the same time, a wave of defenders lauded Reese’s competitive fire. Many described the action as a legitimate emotional release under pressure:

“Losing will do this to you… just a heat-of-the-moment reaction.”

“I love Angel Reese’s competitive spirit… Angel gives 100%.”

“This is called passionate.” SportskeedaWikipedia+13The Sun+13The Washington Post+13.

The incident was compared to a dramatic sideline outburst once delivered by Kim Mulkey, Reese’s former LSU coach, who famously swatted a clipboard in anger—a comparison Reese seemed to mirror in intensity if not scale On3+1Sportskeeda+1.

What It Means for Chicago Sky

At 5–13, the Sky sit near the bottom of the WNBA standings. Despite Reese’s standout contributions, the team continues to struggle with consistency, rebounding disasters, and turnovers. In this game, turnovers and free-throw miscues proved costly; Chicago committed 25 turnovers in another earlier matchup, allowing Washington to score 40 points off turnovers, a trend that remains troubling ⁠— one that Reese herself acknowledged needs correction New York Post+10Swish Appeal+10Larry Brown Sports+10.

Against the Mystics, the Sky fell behind in the third quarter, unraveling after a strong first half. Although they staged a late rally, individual heroics weren’t enough to overcome miscues in execution and discipline under pressure New York Post+15Swish Appeal+15SI+15.

The team’s head coach, Tyler Marsh, emphasized the need for cohesion between Reese and rookie frontcourt teammate Kamilla Cardoso, pointing to development beyond stats as key to turning competitive games into wins. But discipline and avoidable mistakes remain the sore spot Bleacher Report+4Swish Appeal+4Swish Appeal+4.

Reese’s Season in Context

Angel Reese entered the WNBA as a first-round pick (7th overall) in 2024 after a stellar collegiate career at LSU and Maryland. She made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie honors, setting the league rebounding record, and appearing in the WNBA All-Star Game in her first year ⁠— achievements she extended into 2025 as a repeat All-Star with league-leading rebound production Talksport+2Wikipedia+2The Sun+2.

This season, Reese has averaged around 13–14 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game through her first 17–22 games. She’s also recorded multiple triple-doubles and become known for her relentless effort and aggression on both ends of the court. At 23, she has quickly emerged as one of the WNBA’s most prominent personalities and statistical leaders ⁠— but also one walking a fine line with emotional outbursts and accumulating technical fouls. Reese currently leads the league in technical fouls and is one foul away from an automatic suspension under WNBA rules ⁠— raising concern that her fiery competitiveness could cost her playing time or even impact her salary, as she has vocalized dissatisfaction with the league’s compensation policies during All‑Star Weekend Talksport.

Moving Forward: What Comes Next for the Sky?

Chicago faces a challenging next game, hosting the Dallas Wings on Wednesday. The Wings, like the Sky, are fighting for playoff relevance, making this a critical early-season matchup. For Reese, it’s a chance to channel her frustration into focus and build upon her fourth-quarter heroics—without additional distractions from sideline drama or disciplinary concerns SIAthlon Sports.

Coach Marsh and the Sky staff must balance maintaining Reese’s intensity with ensuring composure. The clipboard incident was a powerful emotional moment—but for the Sky to win, that fire needs to be harnessed on the court, not in sideline theatrics.

Meanwhile, off the court, the spotlight only continues to grow. Reese’s signature shoe deal with Reebok is already generating buzz, and she recently ventured into new ventures including a podcast and major sponsorships—raising her profile beyond basketball. The WNBA and fans alike will likely continue to monitor every angle, from her stat lines to her temperament to her broader voice in league labor discussions and cultural commentary