Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese clapped back at former NBA star and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley after leading her team to a 90-81 victory over the New York Liberty Thursday. Reese's post-game comments appeared to be aimed at Barkley, who had recently made controversial remarks about WNBA players and the influence of Caitlin Clark on the league.
Reese was instrumental in the Sky's second win of the season, scoring 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds, which handed the Liberty their first loss in 2024. Following the game, Reese took to social media to voice her thoughts.
“And that's getting a WIN in a packed (arena) not just cause of one player on our charter flight,” she said on X, formerly Twitter, in a now deleted post.
Barkley's prior comments suggested that WNBA players should be grateful for the attention Clark has brought to the league. ”
You women out there, y'all petty, man. Hey, LeBron (James), you 100% right hatin' on Caitlin Clark. Y'all petty. I expect men to be petty because we're the most insecure group in the world. Y'all should be thanking that girl for getting y'all ass private charters; all the money and visibility she's bringing to the WNBA. Don't be petty like dudes,” Barkley said, per Dustin Schutte of Sports Illustrated.
“Listen, what she's accomplished — give her her flowers. Stop being petty, girls. She brought y'all ass charter (flights), all this money to the table, but y'all being petty like dudes. … Caitlin Clark: Thank you for bringing all that money and shine to the WNBA,” he added.
Angel Reese vocal on social media
While Clark's success at Iowa and her transition into the WNBA has undoubtedly drawn new fans, Reese emphasized that numerous other talented players also deserve recognition and credit for their contributions to the game.
Reese is off to an impressive start in her rookie season with the Sky, averaging 12 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
In addition to her comments about Barkley, Reese has also been vocal on other trending topics in the WNBA, including the challenges faced by international players and the implementation of charter flights for teams. In another tweet, Reese highlighted the now-resolved visa delays for Nika Muhl, a Croatian point guard for the Seattle Storm, and called for equitable treatment and increased publicity for all teams.
Reese said previously on X, “Get Nika her visa NOW, charter flights are HERE, give every team the same PUBLICITY cause it ain’t just one team, online bullying ain’t it AT ALL, and oh the CHICAGO SKY ARE HERE & ON THE RISE!”
Muhl, who faced visa issues whiched delayed her debut for the Storm, has been a point of contention. She missed the Storm's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Lynx due to awaiting approval for her U.S. work visa.
The WNBA's new charter flight program for the 2024 season, expected to cost approximately $25 million per year over the next two seasons, marks a significant shift from the previous practice of teams flying commercial.
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