Angel Reese, NaLyssa Smith Had Priceless Exchange With Official During Sky-Fever Game

Tim Capurso | Jun 24, 2024

Jun 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the second half of a basketball game against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Even opponents can sometimes unite in the heat of battle.

That's what happened during Sunday's game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, an 88-87 victory for the Sky, when Sky star Angel Reese and Fever forward NaLyssa Smith were having words with each other during a break in the action, ultimately resulting in a priceless exchange with an official.

The interaction began when Reese, who was jawing with Smith throughout much of the game, walked up to the Fever forward and seemingly began to talk some trash, with Smith returning fire.

But Reese and Smith both hilariously put the trash talk to the side when an official attempted to intervene, as the Sky star and Fever forward both waved the official away in an amusing moment.

This energy from Angel Reese and NaLyssa Smith is so good for the #WNBA. And the, "No, we're just talking... we're good! We're good!" to the ref is hilarious. 😭

Kim Mulkey's players always bring that passion with them. pic.twitter.com/o7v1vK901R

— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) June 24, 2024

Perhaps the funniest part of this interaction is Reese, repeatedly telling the official that her and Smith were "just talking." The moment was akin to when two siblings are arguing and one of the parents comes to break up the squabble, only to be told to go away because it's not that serious.

Despite what Reese and Smith attempted to make clear to the official, there was plenty of competitive friction between the two on Sunday night, especially during this fourth quarter sequence.

NaLyssa Smith hits Angel Reese with the "too small" and then the next play Angel gets an and-1 on her 😂 pic.twitter.com/sRHZjs8vFa

— WNBA Rookie Watch (@WNBARookieWatch) June 23, 2024

Reese ultimately got the last laugh—and the last word—as she poured in a career-high 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help erase a 15-point deficit and lead the Sky to a thrilling comeback victory.

Unfortunately, WNBA fans will have to wait until August 30 to watch Reese and Smith—and Fever star Caitlin Clark—go head-to-head again.