Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese broke the WNBA’s single-season record for rebounds, notching her 418th in a 79-74 defeat against the Minnesota Lynx.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Reese needed six rebounds to take the record from former Sky player Sylvia Fowles, who retired in 2022. She ended the night with 19 to go along with 17 points, giving her a 24th double-double on the season.
But the Sky’s struggles since the Olympic break continued despite Reese’s strong stat line, dropping to a sixth straight defeat and 11-21 on the season.
Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something that I know I can always do,” the former LSU star told reporters after the game. “I knew it was going to translate (to the WNBA) right away and that’s something that a lot of players don’t want to do.
Defense and rebounding win championships, and I’ve won championships at every level by just doing that,” she added.
The 22-year-old Reese also broke the single-season record for offensive rebounds with 165, while she has already become the fastest player in WNBA history to record 20 double-doubles and racked up the most consecutive double-doubles (15) in league history.
The loss is another blow for Chicago, currently eighth in the standings, as the team bids to make the playoffs.
“Obviously, it’s tough – this is the most losing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Reese. “Just being able to stay mentally positive through this. That’s the bright light of it, we still are in the playoffs … I’m just looking forward to the next game and ways to get better and learn from this one.”
Courtney Williams led the way for the Lynx with 22 points, 10 of those coming in the fourth quarter, while Kayla McBride added 17 points.
Minnesota is 8-1 since the Olympic break, the best in the league despite a 94-76 defeat against the Dallas Wings on Friday.