The Big Angel Reese announcement made before the Sky-Liberty game was initially published on Athlon Sports.
This season, the Chicago Sky are gearing up to take on the unbeaten, reigning WNBA champions, the New York Liberty, on Tuesday night. The Sky currently hold a 2-5 record, coming off a discouraging 79-52 defeat against the Indiana Fever on Saturday. The loss also included the setback of veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot being sidelined.
In their first meeting this year, the Liberty dominated with a 99-74 win. That game was also Angel Reese’s toughest offensive performance this season, scoring only two points without making a field goal, going 0-8 from the floor and 2-6 from the free throw line. However, Reese managed to grab 12 rebounds, continuing her trend of strong rebounding that has marked her young WNBA career, something that gained significant attention on Monday.
According to Polymarket Hoops, Reese leads in average offensive rebounds per game for a single WNBA season, with her current 5.6 offensive boards per game surpassing last year’s 5.1. The former LSU National Champion averages 9.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Her main area for improvement is her overall scoring efficiency.
This season, Reese has been shooting a disappointing 30.9% from the field, and her scoring average has dropped by about four points compared to last year’s numbers, from the 34 games she played before injuries shortened the season. Nevertheless, New York Sky head coach Tyler Marsh highlighted their efforts to better utilize her talents. Reese has also made progress in other facets of her game, becoming more involved with the ball beyond just playing in the paint. She has improved her movement without the ball through on-ball and off-ball screens and is developing as a passer.
Fan Take: Angel Reese’s evolution is crucial for the Sky’s success this season, and her ability to adapt and contribute beyond rebounding could redefine her impact in the league. For WNBA fans, her growth symbolizes the exciting future of women’s basketball and the increasing versatility of its rising stars.
