The Los Angeles Sparks’ retirement of Candace Parker’s jersey on Sunday was meant to be the headline event: honoring a two-time MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Finals MVP in front of a sold-out Crypto.com Arena. Parker’s No. 3 jersey will be retired again on August 25 in Chicago, marking the second tribute to her stellar career. However, as monumental as that moment was for Parker, it was overshadowed by Angel Reese’s brilliance. The Chicago Sky forward dominated in a 92-85 victory over the Sparks, improving her team’s record to 5-11 and extending her scorching-hot streak. Reese’s dominance was impossible to ignore, even on a night meant for Parker.
Angel Reese’s Historic Night Lights Up the Court
Reese delivered what might be her finest WNBA performance yet against the Sparks. She scored 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting, grabbed 16 rebounds (only four of which were offensive), and had seven assists in 38 minutes. At 23 years old, she broke her own league record for the most consecutive games with 15 or more rebounds, achieving this feat for the fourth consecutive game. After a slow start to the season, Reese has made a strong comeback, proving that she is one of the most dynamic forwards in the game.
Her stat line puts her in rare company alongside icons like Parker, Lisa Leslie, and Tina Thompson-the only players to post at least 24 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists in a single game. With Kamilla Cardoso away representing Brazil at the AmeriCup, Reese stepped up, showcasing enhanced playmaking skills in the absence of Courtney Vandersloot. Her passing was sharp, plus, her finishing has improved: her two-point shooting percentage increased from 31% in May to 48.5% in June, leaving the Sparks unable to defend against her soft, high-arching layups.
No matter where her career takes her, Reese will always be measured against Caitlin Clark, though their styles couldn’t be more different. Clark’s flair shines through in her assists and deep shooting, while Reese thrives on defense and dominates the boards. Put simply, Reese is to rebounds what Clark is to assists. In their rookie years, Clark led the league in assists and set a season record, while Reese broke Sylvia Fowles’s rebounding record, but was edged out by A’ja Wilson’s 451 rebounds after missing the last six games.
If Reese stays healthy this season, that record is as good as hers. For Clark’s fans, though, watching Reese rack up accolades might be a bit painful, especially since Reese keeps rewriting the history books.
Reese’s Relentless Consistency Fuels the Sky
Back at power forward alongside Elizabeth Williams, whose block party against the Sparks was a sight to behold, Reese was unstoppable. With Cardoso sidelined, she seized the chance to shine, proving that she can handle extended minutes at center, as she did against Golden State earlier this season. Her relentless energy has been the key to Chicago’s back-to-back wins over the Sparks this week.
While L.A. sputtered late, Reese and the Sky kept pushing. Out of 16 games this season, she’s recorded 10 double-doubles and one triple-double. She’s come up short of double-digit rebounds in just four games, and even then, she grabbed nine in three of them. Her hustle and rebounding prowess are the heartbeat of this team, and her growing playmaking ability only adds to her impact.
Reese’s latest performance may not sit well with Caitlin Clark’s fans, but her star power is undeniable. As the Sky fight their way toward playoff contention with plenty of games left in the season, Reese shows that she’s not just a rebounding phenom; she’s a cornerstone.
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