Angel Reese becomes the first WNBA rookie EVER to achieve historic feat not pulled off in the NBA for 31 YEARS
Chicago Sky sensation Angel Reese made WNBA history on Friday night by becoming the first rookie ever to grab 20 rebounds in back-to-back games.
The 22-year-old Reese accomplished the iconic feat during Chicago’s 82-80 loss to the Connecticut Sun, after grabbing exactly 20 rebounds at Mohegan Sun Arena.
She also chipped in with three assists and 13 points despite Sky suffering their third loss in four games.
It’s incredible that an NBA rookie hasn’t had consecutive 20-rebound games in 31 years. The last time Reese’s LSU colleague, Shaquille O’Neal, did it was in 1993.
Reese became the first rookie with multiple 20-rebound games since Tina Charles in 2010. She has 21 double-doubles.
Chicago Sky’s 22-year-old sensation Angel Reese made WNBA history on Friday night
Connecticut (21-7) led 45-35 at halftime, but Reese scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds in the third period. The Sky outscored the Sun 29-18 to take a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The lead grew to 74-68, but Mabrey, playing against her old team, responded with a three-pointer and a layup to close the deficit to one point: 76-75 with 4:38 left.
Reese made two free throws to give Chicago (11-17) an 80-77 lead with 1:52 left.
Connecticut’s Tyasha Harris hit two free throws with 1:01 left to pull the Sun within a point before DiJonai Carrington was assessed a blocking foul. A challenge from Connecticut coach Stephanie White reversed the decision and the Sky’s Chennedy Carter was assessed an offensive foul.
Reese became the first rookie with multiple 20-rebound games since Tina Charles in 2010
On the next drive, Bonner was fouled in the lane (Chicago coach Teresa Weatherspoon challenged him, but the call was upheld) and he made 1 of 2 free throws to tie the score 80-80.
Chicago’s Lindsay Allen missed a jumper from the halfway line with 15 seconds left and Bonner grabbed the rebound before Thomas hit the winning free throws.
Mabrey, in her fourth game with Connecticut after being acquired from the Sky on July 17, led all scorers as she went 9 of 13 from the field and 5 of 7 from 3-point range. Bonner added 15 points while Thomas and Brionna Jones both finished with 12.
Bonner grabbed eight rebounds to become just the 10th player in WNBA history with at least 3,000 career rebounds (3,003). She is just 10 behind Taj McWilliams-Franklin (3,013) for ninth all-time.
Carter led Chicago with 19 points, Kamilla Cardoso added 18, a personal best, and Lindsay Allen had 14. Connecticut scored 27 points off 19 Sky turnovers.