Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, who has quickly made a name for herself in the WNBA, faced a tough challenge against vetran Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury.
The matchup saw Griner dominate both ends of the court, leading the Mercury to an 85-65 victory, while setting a franchise record along the way.
Returning from her gold medal win with Team USA at the Paris Olympics, Griner delivered an all-around performance. She recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five blocked shots. Among those blocks, three were against Reese, a rising star and potential Rookie of the Year.
Griner’s performance marked the first time in Mercury history that a player registered 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ blocks in a single game.
While Griner schooled the former LSU standout, holding Reese to 4-14 shooting from the field, the young rookie continued to make history.
Reese notched her 18th double-double of the season with 11 points and 15 rebounds, surpassing WNBA legends Yolanda Griffith and Candace Parker for the second-most double-doubles by a rookie. Griffith and Parker had previously held the spot with 17 double-doubles each.
Reese also became the first player in WNBA history to grab 300 rebounds in just 25 games, solidifying her place as one of the league’s most dominant rookies.
With only a few games remaining, Reese is closing in on another milestone—surpassing Tina Charles’ record of 22 double-doubles as a rookie, set in 2010.
As both players made their mark in this matchup, it was clear that the veteran experience of Griner and the rising star power of Reese are setting the stage for a competitive future in the WNBA.
Griner’s performance reflects her enduring impact on the league, while Reese’s record-breaking rookie season showcases her potential to become a key figure in women’s basketball.
With more milestones in sight, fans are eagerly watching as Reese pushes toward what could be one of the most decorated rookie campaigns in league history.
