The WNBA announced on Sunday that the league is looking into allegations of racist behavior toward Angel Reese, and there has been speculation that the investigation stems from so-called “monkey noises” that were directed at the Chicago Sky star. If so, it is possible that there was a misunderstanding.
In its statement, the WNBA said league officials are “aware of the allegations” that Reese was a target of racism during Saturday’s game between the Sky and Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The league did not share any details about the allegations.
Rumors have since circulated that the alleged incident involved someone making monkey sounds toward Reese. In a clip from the ESPN broadcast that was widely shared on social media, a high-pitched noise can be heard while Reese was shooting a technical free throw during her team’s 93-58 loss.
You can hear the clip:
THIS is the sound people are calling a monkey?!?! You can hear its a laugh with a faint..”omg” (or whatever it says) shortly after in the same voice. I aint never heard a monkey sound like a dolphin. Stay hating. pic.twitter.com/kabax88cJy
— WT1231 (@Aolgang) May 18, 2025
Jack McGuire of Barstool Sports tried to piece together what may have happened in a video he shared on Sunday.
McGuire explained that there were social media posts on Saturday from a person who claimed fans in Indiana were being racist toward Reese. It is unclear if the person was at the game. McGuire also noted that the “monkey noises” that were heard sounded very similar to a high-pitched laugh from streamer “FlightReacts” that has turned into a famous meme.
Full breakdown of the WNBA looking into a baseless claim that “monkey noises” were directed towards Angel Reese.
Turns out it was just a meme.
Huge story all because of an X user that hasn’t provided that they were at the game and have now gone private. pic.twitter.com/W6uYvzuOEQ
— Jack Mac (@JackMacCFB) May 19, 2025
Again, the WNBA did not share any details about the allegations that are being investigated. It is possible the claims have nothing to do with the noise that was picked up by ESPN’s microphones, but it’s worth noting that it is highly unlikely that noise was racist in nature.
Reese, who was involved in a heated incident with Clark during the game, has not commented on the situation.
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