The Chicago Sky defeated the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night in the first WNBA meeting between first-round pick Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.
Both Reese and Brink turned heads with their eye-catching outfits as they entered the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
But both players had only a limited impact on Thursday’s match, as the Sky triumphed 83-73 to move to 3-3 for the season – and secure a first home win of the season.
Brink played just 23 minutes, during which time the No. 2 overall pick collected seven points, six rebounds and two assists.
Reese – who was selected seventh overall by the Sky – also sat for long stretches, scoring six points, six rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes.
Angel Reese and Cameron Brink clashed during a gathering of WNBA rookies on Thursday night
Reese, the No. 7 draft pick, helped the Sky beat the LA Sparks in the rookies’ first matchup
The damage was done elsewhere as Marina Mabrey scored 20 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers, while Elizabeth Williams had 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for Chicago.
Mabrey gave Chicago a 21-point lead with 6:59 left in the third quarter. Los Angeles fought back and closed on a 20-8 run to get within 67-58 entering the fourth.
The Sky committed 10 fouls in the third quarter, committed six turnovers and allowed 27 points.
Los Angeles pulled within 78-69 with 2:16 left after Rickea Jackson completed a three-point play, but rookie Reese made a shot into the lane on back-to-back possessions to extend Chicago’s lead to 82-69.
Reese collected six points, six rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes on Thursday night
Brink played just 23 minutes, in which she had seven points, six rebounds and two assists
Los Angeles was slowed by 18 turnovers.
Dana Evans had four of Sky’s 13 steals and added 15 points. Chennedy Carter scored 14 points for Chicago (3-3). Reese picked up her fifth foul with 8:22 left in the fourth and finished with six points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.
Dearica Hamby had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Kia Nurse added 17 points for Los Angeles (2-5). Jackson finished with 10 points.
Evans scored 11 points in the first half and Carter added 10 to help Chicago build a 49-31 lead. The Sky shot 51% from the field in the first half and led by as many as 20 points.