Angel Reese lit up the scoreboard and locker room on Sunday. The Chicago Sky forward delivered a commanding all-around performance against the Connecticut Sun, posting her first career triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
The 78-66 win snapped a four-game slide and marked the second triple-double in this young WNBA season .
Celebrations carried into the locker room, where teammates surrounded Reese with bottles of water, until she was soaked head-to-toe.
One snapshot of the moment moments the 23-year-old trying to guard her hair, even as Kia Nurse draped a towel overhead, quickly became the postgame highlight reel.
Fans immediately flooded social media with one user commenting: “The towel over the hair!! Those are real sistas.” While another said,”Kia Nurse covering Angel’s hair for the win!”
Rise of a record-breaker
Reese‘s dominance this season has been steady rather than sudden. She led the WNBA in rebounds in 2024 with 13.1 per game, and her ability to grab boards has earned both acclaim and criticism.
Dubbed “mebounds” by fans, Reese recently leaned into the nickname, calling it branded gold.
Her triple-double on Sunday makes her the second-youngest player in WNBA history to record one, trailing only Caitlin Clark.
She’s also the fastest player to reach 30 career double-double having done it in just 42 games, topping Candace Parker and Natalie Williams.
Chicago’s 78-66 win came after the Sun established an early lead. But Reese‘s versatile play, including three steals and two blocks in the contest, shifted momentum.
Rookie guard Hailey Van Lith contributed 16 bench points, and the reserves outscored Connecticut’s second unit 36-2.
Off the court, Reese has transformed criticism into opportunity. She leads the Sky in rebounding and continues to show improvement at both ends of the floor.
Chicago coach Teresa Weatherspoon praised her unselfish play. “She let the game come to her,” Weatherspoon said, stressing the importance of balance between scoring and playmaking.
Reese, known for her bold style and “Bayou Barbie” persona, remains grounded.
“I’ve always taken pride in passing,” she told reporters postgame. “If two defenders step up, somebody’s open. My job is to hit the right read.”
Beyond the triple-double, Reese is a pioneer. WNBA triple-doubles remain scarce-with just 43 recorded in league history-due to shorter games and a team-focused style of play.
Sabrina Ionescu, Alyssa Thomas, Candace Parker, and Caitlin Clark are among the few who’ve joined the club. Reese now stands alongside them.
Her marketability also continues to rise. With endorsement deals from Reebok, Beats by Dre, Wingstop, and others-plus her push into podcasting and the ‘Unrivaled’ 3-on-3 league-Reese is building a brand beyond the hardwood.
Still, her focus remains on her rookie contract and performance. Her message to critics? Work hard and play well.
Sunday’s celebration-a locker full of water-doused delight-was viral proof that her teammates believe in her.
For Reese, Sunday was more than a stat line; it was a moment when hard work, personality, and teamwork collided. And as the season moves forward, the Sky know they have a rising star at the heart of their culture.
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