Angel Reese’s Streak Ends: Sky Falls, Liberty Celebrates
Angel Reese's impressive double-double streak came to a halt at 15 games as the Chicago Sky fell to the New York Liberty, despite Reese grabbing 16 rebounds but shooting just 3-for-13 from the field.
In a game filled with drama and defensive intensity, Angel Reese's remarkable 15-game double-double streak was snapped as the Chicago Sky succumbed to an 81-67 loss against the New York Liberty. Although Reese dominated the boards with 16 rebounds, her offensive struggles were evident, going just 3-for-13 and missing key shots late in the game. To make matters worse, Reese's frustration boiled over, resulting in a technical foul—capping a night where even four defenders couldn't resist crowding her like she was the last piece of cake at a family reunion.
The end of Reese's streak was marked by a nail-biting finale where the Liberty's defense seemed to be orchestrated by Houdini himself. With 17 seconds remaining on the clock, four Liberty players converged on Reese near the left block, forcing her to pass up the scoring opportunity. Moments before, she had missed an open layup, adding more frustration to her evening.
Reese's composure took a hit earlier in the fourth quarter. With 7:07 remaining, she argued a foul call on a rebound, which earned her a technical foul. This not only influenced her personal performance but also highlighted the physical nature of the game. Ah, the joys of basketball melodrama!
Despite Reese's struggles, her teammate Marina Mabrey stepped up, scoring a team-high 21 points and adding 12 rebounds. However, their combined efforts were overshadowed by the stellar performance of the Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu, who notched a game-high 28 points. It seems like Reese's double-double streak had an 'off' switch, and Ionescu was holding the remote.
Adding to the Liberty's firepower, Jonquel Jones dribbled in 14 points and nine rebounds, carrying the torch with a fervor that could rival the Statue of Liberty herself. Meanwhile, Briana Stewart, the reigning MVP, took a break with a right hamstring injury, making it clear that even superheroes need their downtime. Yet, the Liberty managed to secure a decisive victory.
The evening brought to a close a historic run for Reese. She had surpassed Candice Parker's previous record of 12 consecutive double-doubles earlier in the season and is currently leading the WNBA in rebounds per game (12) and offensive rebounds per game (4.8). Through her first 23 games, Reese has averaged 13.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. One might say she’s been as unstoppable as trying to open a pickle jar fresh out of the fridge!
Reese's impact has not gone unnoticed. Dawn Staley commented post-game, stating that Reese should be the clear choice for WNBA's Rookie of the Year if the season ended today. This sentiment is echoed by her fan support, as she received the fifth-most votes for the All-Star Game, trailing only Caitlin Clark. Clearly, Reese's skills on the court have her fans in a frenzy—just imagine if she played with a cape!
The loss against the Liberty was a learning moment for Reese and the Sky. With the spotlight firmly on her, Reese will likely use this game as motivation to bounce back stronger. Her performance has set a high bar, and fans eagerly await her return to double-double form – after all, even superheroes need a day off sometimes.
The Sky's journey continues, and while they face their own set of challenges, Reese’s resilience and determination promise more exciting basketball ahead. For now, the Liberty celebrates their victory, but the season is far from over, and Angel Reese is far from finished. She might not have hit the jackpot this game, but Reese is still rolling the dice for more wins in the future.