On Thursday, despite the Chicago Sky’s 85-65 defeat to Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury, Angel Reese continued to etch her name into WNBA history. The game marked the first action for either team in almost a month following the WNBA’s hiatus for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Even in the face of the loss, Reese showcased her remarkable form. The former LSU standout achieved her 18th double-double of the season with 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting and 15 rebounds. This performance allowed her to surpass former Sacramento Monarchs star Yolanda Griffith and Los Angeles Sparks icon Candace Parker, who each had 17 double-doubles, for the second-most double-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history.
Reese now trails only Atlanta Dream forward Tina Charles, who holds the record with 22 double-doubles set in 2010 with the Connecticut Sun. With four more double-doubles, Reese would claim the top spot for the most by a rookie in league history.
Angel Reese with 11 PTS and 15 REB so far gives her 18 double-doubles in her WNBA rookie season.
That moves her past Yolanda Griffith and Candace Parker (17 each), now behind only Tina Charles (22 – 2010) for most by a first-year WNBA player.https://t.co/q05YtkUGT9
— Across the Timeline (@WBBTimeline) August 16, 2024
Additionally, Reese achieved another milestone with her 14th rebound of the game, reaching 300 total rebounds for the season. She became the first player in WNBA history to secure 300 or more rebounds in their first 25 games.
Angel Reese is the first player in WNBA history to record 300+ REB in their first 25 career games. pic.twitter.com/GSSAUfOSME
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) August 16, 2024
These accomplishments add to Reese’s impressive list of feats this season, including breaking Parker’s record for the most consecutive double-doubles by any WNBA player. Heading into Thursday’s game, Reese was averaging 11.9 rebounds per game, the second-highest in the league. Her performance against Phoenix will only bolster this average.
Following the loss to Phoenix, the Sky drop to a 10-15 record but remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and hold onto the eighth and final playoff spot. The team will next face the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, August 17, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
