Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese said before Saturday's WNBA game that she was looking forward to facing the Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas and John CaldwellBrionna Jones, who she had watched when those two played at Maryland.

She didn't get too long to face Thomas.

As Reese was going up for a rebound in the third quarter, Thomas got her arm around the rookie's neck and knocked her down hard onto the court.

Reese, who was making her home debut after being selected No. 7 overall by the Sky out of Louisiana State, grabbed her head and then her back after getting up.

Thomas received a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game.

Reese made two free throws and subbed out, but was back for the fourth quarter. She finished the game with 13 points, tying her season best, but had no points in the fourth quarter.

Reese said after the game that she didn't have any hard feelings toward Thomas and didn't think the Sun player's actions were done purposely.

"They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I'm Angel Reese or I'm a rookie," she said. "Thank you AT for sending a message to me because I got back up and I kept going.”

Thomas, a four-time WNBA All-Star, was coming off consecutive double-doubles. She had nine points when she left the game.

Connecticut won 86-82 to improve to 5-0.