WATCH: Alyssa Thomas gets ejected for harsh foul on Chicago Sky's Angel Reese

Before Saturday's WNBA game, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese said she was excited to face the Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones, whom she had seen play at Maryland.  She didn't have long to deal with Thomas.

After grabbing an offensive rebound, Reese dribbled for position as the third quarter came to a close, with Chicago trailing league-leading Connecticut by one point. Reese was given a flagrant 2 on the video and was dismissed after Sun veteran Alyssa Thomas grasped with the rookie on the box out and forced her to the ground with her left arm.

Thomas, who placed second in MVP voting in 2023, is one of the league's most physical players, although he has only been called for seven flagrant fouls (all flagrant 1) since being selected to the WNBA in 2014. Her dismissal is the first of the season in the league, and it ended the duel between former Maryland players. 

Watch here the full video:

Angel Reese goes down hard. Alyssa Thomas ejected.pic.twitter.com/HQrvTOdeg7

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Angel Reese and Thomas had been dueling on the boards throughout the game, with both earning two offensive rebounds before Thomas' departure, but Thomas outperformed Reese 4-1 on the defensive glass. Reese outscored Thomas 13-9 after three quarters. 

Angel Reese is the most prolific rookie this season

Reese, who was making her home debut after being taken No. 7 overall by the Sky from Louisiana State, held her head and then her back after standing up. Thomas earned a flagrant 2 foul and was removed from the game. 

Reese has been possibly the most prolific rookie this season, averaging double-digit points and 8.7 rebounds per game. The Sky were 2-1 heading into the game versus Connecticut Suns, coming off an upset of the Liberty in New York, while the Sun were the WNBA's only remaining unbeaten team.

Reese hit two free throws before being substituted out but returned for the fourth quarter. She ended the game with 13 points, which tied her season high. Thomas, a four-time WNBA All-Star, was coming off two straight double-doubles. She had nine points when she departed the game. Connecticut won 86-82, improving to 5-0.