Angel Reese, the rookie forward for the Chicago Sky, made history on [June 23, 2024] by scoring a career-high 25 points and grabbing a career-best 16 rebounds in a thrilling win against the Indiana Fever. This impressive performance extended Reese's double-double streak to eight consecutive games, making her the first rookie in WNBA history to achieve this feat.
The game was closely contested throughout, with both teams displaying impressive play. The Sky trailed by eight points with six minutes remaining when Reese took charge, leading a comeback that saw them take a two-point lead in the final moments. Caitlin Clark of the Fever put up an admirable fight, recording 17 points and a franchise-record 13 assists.
Reese's historic performance came after she had posted double-doubles in each of her previous seven games. Her impressive form has been a key factor in the Sky's recent resurgence, as they have won back-to-back games following a four-game losing streak. The Fever, on the other hand, had their four-game win streak snapped.
The game was highly anticipated due to the rivalry between Reese and Clark, who faced off for the first time in the WNBA. Both players have impressive college basketball pedigrees: Reese led LSU to a national championship victory over Iowa in 2023, while Clark helped Iowa reach the same stage before losing to South Carolina. The two teams also met earlier this season, with Reese's Sky winning both games.
The game was played at Wintrust Arena in Chicago and attracted a large crowd. According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price for entry was $351 dollars on average, making it one of the most expensive WNBA games in history.
In addition to Reese's impressive performance, other notable players included Kelsey Mitchell of the Fever, who scored 24 points; Chennedy Carter and Camilla Cardoso of the Sky, who each scored 19 points; and Aliyah Boston of the Fever, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Sky move on to face Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever again on [June 26, 2024], while the Fever travel to face the Washington Mystics.