The Chicago Sky clinched a 90-81 victory over the New York Liberty Thursday, a win marked by intense emotions and a standout performance by rookie Angel Reese. The game, held at Barclays Center, was also special for Chicago's head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who made an emotional return to New York where she once played.
Reese, the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by Chicago, has quickly made her mark in the league. In just her third game, Reese joined elite company by becoming the third player in WNBA history to grab at least 15 offensive rebounds in their first three games. Her relentless energy on the court was instrumental in Chicago's victory.
The Sky's Twitter account celebrated Reese's performance with a light-hearted post, captioned “SHE AINT NO DIIIIVAAAAAA 😂 #skytown,” accompanied by an image of Reese passionately pointing and cheering during the game.
Reese's historic achievement was also highlighted in a tweet by the WNBA, which acknowledged her milestone of 15 plus offensive rebounds. The tweet read, “Angel Reese becomes the 3rd player in WNBA history to grab at least 15 offensive rebounds in their first 3 games #WelcometotheW,” celebrating her impressive start and placing her alongside legends Natalie Williams and Yolanda Griffith.
Chicago's defense played a crucial role in their victory, holding the Liberty to just 11 fast break points and dominating the paint with a 46-36 advantage. Despite a late surge from the Liberty, the Sky ended the game on a 22-9 run, showcasing their resilience and teamwork.
Angel Reese, others thriving under coach Weatherspoon
Marina Mabrey, who led all scorers with 21 points, highlighted Weatherspoon's leadership.
“Coach Spoon does not want us to settle for those threes,” Mabrey told said, via Jack Maloney of CBS Sports. While she acknowledged her own preference for perimeter shots, Mabrey emphasized the team's commitment to Weatherspoon's vision of prioritizing high-quality looks in the paint.
Weatherspoon's philosophy has clearly resonated with her team, who took 888 three-point shots last season with a 37% conversion rate. This year, the focus has shifted towards a more balanced offense.
“We want to play as a team. Everybody wants to touch the ball,” Mabrey said. “So, when we can find that balance, start in the paint and kick out or score, that's kind of our best offense.”
The victory over the Liberty marked an important milestone for the Sky, who are now 2-1 despite early-season injuries to key players like Diamond DeShields, Isabelle Harrison and rookie Kamilla Cardoso.
“We're holding it down until they get back. When they get back, we'll be extremely happy,” Weatherspoon said.
As the Sky prepare for upcoming games against Connecticut, Seattle and Los Angeles, Thursday night's win served as a testament to their potential. Reese's outstanding performance and the team's collective effort have undoubtedly put the league on notice: the Sky are here to compete and make a statement.
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