Toronto Tempo forward Isabelle Harrison was ejected from Sunday's game against the Atlanta Dream after committing a Flagrant 2 foul on Angel Reese in the third quarter. The incident occurred with 6:05 remaining in the period, when Reese had established position in the paint. Harrison reached over and tackled her to the floor, prompting officials to review the play and assess the foul. The Dream led 52-42 at the time. Harrison, the Tempo's leading scorer with 17 points, was removed from the game, while Reese finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds in Atlanta's 102-77 victory.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
The foul was deemed "unnecessary and excessive" by referees, leading to Harrison's ejection. The two players had exchanged words throughout the game, with tensions escalating in the second quarter when Harrison swatted at the ball held by Reese after play had stopped. The Dream improved to 9-4 with the win, while the Tempo fell to 7-7. Reese recorded her ninth double-double of the season, while Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 26 points and seven assists. Harrison's ejection was described as "unfortunate" by Tempo coach Sandy Brondello, who emphasized the need for consistency from her team.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Background on the Players
Harrison, drafted in 2015, and Reese, a two-time All-Star, were former teammates during Reese's rookie season with the Chicago Sky. The WNBA has been cracking down on physical play this season following complaints about excessive physicality last year. The league is also monitoring an increase in head injuries this season.
Game Dynamics and Reactions
The two players engaged in a heated battle throughout the game, with Harrison reportedly laughing as she walked to the locker room after her ejection. Reese came into the game averaging 14.6 points and 11.9 rebounds, with nine double-doubles on the season. Her 17 rebounds included a career-high 11 offensive rebounds, one short of the WNBA single-game record. The Dream's Rhyne Howard contributed 24 points and six rebounds, while the Tempo's Julie Allemand had 13 points and six assists, and Maria Conde added 12 points off the bench.