In short:

WNBA star Angel Reese has accepted Australian coach Sandy Brondello's apology for calling her a "protected species".

Brondello was handed a one-match suspension after being overheard making the comments during a game against Reese's Atlanta Dream.

The saying "protected species" is commonplace among Australian sport and is often used by fans frustrated by the officiating of certain players on opposing teams.

Angel Reese has accepted Australian coach Sandy Brondello's apology for an inappropriate comment about the Atlanta Dream star.

The WNBA suspended Brondello for one game after she was overheard calling Reese a "protected species" during the Dream's 111-92 win over Brondello's Toronto Tempo at the weekend.

"First, I appreciate Sandy's apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I've had for the last 48 hours," Reese said before the Dream played the Chicago Sky on Monday (AEST).

"It has been very overwhelming with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action."

Brondello's comment about Reese was picked up by the broadcast after Toronto player Nyara Sabally went down with an injury and was called for a foul following contact with Reese.

Brondello apologised on social media and Reese posted "ARE WE SURPRISED?!" after the game, tagging Brondello's account, followed by a clown face emoji.

The "protected species" phrase is used in Australian sports to express frustration for a lack of calls against a player. However, in the US, the phrase suggests that someone isn't human and could be seen as derogatory toward Black people.

"There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone — from fans to coaches to players," Reese said. 

"I'm just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball. The WNBA is supposed to be positive and we are going in a great light right now, so I just want to continue that and move forward."

AP