Angel Reese’s 20-Rebound Streak Continues; A’ja Wilson Elevates Aces

In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese showcased her remarkable talent by achieving her third straight game with at least 20 rebounds. This performance also allowed her to tie the WNBA record for the most double-doubles by a rookie, reaching a total of 22.

Despite Reese’s impressive stats, the Sky fell short, losing 77-75 to the two-time defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces. The game concluded dramatically with a last-second basket by A’ja Wilson, a frontrunner for the league’s MVP award. In this game, Reese contributed 11 points along with her 22 rebounds, embodying her tenacity on the court.

Earlier in the week, Reese made history as the first WNBA player to achieve back-to-back games with 20 rebounds. The last NBA player to accomplish a similar feat was Ben Wallace with the Detroit Pistons in 2003, and before him, the iconic Wilt Chamberlain had multiple streaks during the 1973 season while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reese’s 22 double-doubles ties the record previously set by Tina Charles in 2010 when she played for the Connecticut Sun. The current single-season record for double-doubles in the WNBA is held by Alyssa Thomas, who finished last season with 28 double-doubles while also with Connecticut.

In Sunday’s game, Reese came close to tying Charles’ single-game rookie rebound record of 23. The Sky collectively tied the season high for rebounds with a total of 47, while the Aces recorded 44 rebounds in the match.

Throughout the game, shooting percentages were notably low for both teams; the Aces managed to shoot just 38.3%, while the Sky followed closely behind at 36.6%. Wilson, who had an off night by her standards, missed 20 shots, finishing 8 of 28. However, she stepped up when it mattered most, hitting the game-winning basket off an inbounds pass from Chelsea Gray.

With the victory, Wilson also celebrated a career milestone, surpassing the 4,500-point mark in only 217 games. This achievement places her in a tie with New York’s Breanna Stewart for the fastest player in WNBA history to reach this scoring landmark. Diana Taurasi, who tops the all-time scoring list, achieved this milestone in 219 games.

Wilson’s clutch basket came right after Chicago guard Chennedy Carter tied the game with a three-pointer. Carter had a standout performance, leading all scorers with 25 points, showcasing her scoring prowess and ability to deliver under pressure.

Following this match, the Aces improved their record to 18-11, while the Sky fell to 11-18. This marks the Sky’s third consecutive loss and their fourth loss in five games since the league resumed play after the Olympic break. At home, the Sky have struggled, currently holding a record of just 4-10.

Despite the setback, Chicago retains a narrow half-game lead over Atlanta (10-18) for the eighth and final playoff spot, highlighting the competitive nature of the league as teams push for post-season positions.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Reese as she continues to break barriers and set records in her debut year, solidifying her position as one of the standout talents in the WNBA.

Source: ESPN