Angel Reese is not one to back down and on June 15, 2025, the “Chi-Town Barbie” made that loud and clear.
In a dramatic showdown between the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun, Reese not only secured the first triple-double of her WNBA career, but also nearly came to blows with multiple members of the Sun after a blatant hair pull during a third-quarter rebound battle ignited chaos on the court.
Angel Reese and Olivia Nelson-Ododa got into it after Bria Hartley pulled Reese's hair on a rebound attempt 😳 pic.twitter.com/B4BkdxZ8qV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 15, 2025
The incident unfolded as Reese fought for position against Connecticut guard Bria Hartley, who, while reaching for the loose ball, grabbed a fistful of Reese’s hair.
The moment was caught on multiple camera angles, clearly showing Hartley using her left hand to pull back Reese’s braid while attempting to grab the rebound with her right. That was all it took. Reese whipped around, visibly livid, and stormed toward Hartley, ready to defend herself.
Before things could escalate further, Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa tried to step between the two. Big mistake. Reese shoved her aside, prompting an eruption from both teams’ benches. Veteran Sun center Tina Charles then got involved, shouting across the court at Reese, escalating the tension even more.
Charles and Reese both received technical fouls, while Hartley, surprisingly, was only assessed a common foul despite clear visual evidence of the hair pull.
Despite the flare-up, Reese did not let her emotions derail her performance. Instead, she responded with poise and production, finishing the game with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the Sky to a 78–66 victory over the Sun.
Hailey Van Lith added 16 points off the bench, while Marina Mabrey contributed on both ends. Reese’s triple-double marked only the second in the league this season, joining fellow rising star Caitlin Clark.
Still, the moment captured the fiery edge that has made Reese both a fan favorite and a frequent lightning rod in the league. Some critics online labeled her “always ready to fight,” but others praised her for standing up for herself amid what many felt was an unsportsmanlike act.
Whether you love her or love to hate her, Angel Reese proved once again why she’s must-see TV. A competitor to her core, she walked off the floor with the win, a triple-double, and a message: pull her hair, and she’ll pull no punches.
