Angel Reese Makes WNBA History Against Phoenix Mercury

On Thursday, Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky were defeated by Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury 85-65. This was the first game for either team in nearly a month, with the WNBA taking a break for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Even with the loss, Reese picked up right where she left off in July. The former LSU star recorded her 18th double-double of the season with 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting and 15 rebounds.

In doing so, she passed former Sacramento Monarchs star Yolanda Griffith and Los Angeles Sparks legend Candace Parker (17 apiece) for the second-most double-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history.

Reese now only trails Atlanta Dream forward Tina Charles (22) by four double-doubles for the most by a first-year WNBA player. Charles recorded 22 double-doubles back in 2010 with the Connecticut Sun.

But Reese wasn't done making history. With her 14th rebound of the game, Reese picked up her 300th rebound of the season. In doing so, she became the first player ever in the WNBA to secure 300 or more rebounds in their first 25 games.

These new achievements just add to the list of accomplishments Reese has had this year, including breaking Parker's record for the most consecutive double-doubles by any WNBA player.

Prior to the Sky vs. Mercury game, Reese was averaging 11.9 rebounds per game, good for second in the league. With her 15 rebounds on Thursday night, that number will increase.

With the loss to Phoenix, Chicago falls to 10-15 on the season but still holds the fourth-place spot in the Eastern Conference. They also still remain in the hunt for the playoffs, sitting with the eighth and final seed.

Reese and the Sky will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Sparks in their next match on Saturday, August 17, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

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