Angel Reese wasn’t really lying in April when she said, “Knocked down and learn and grow at the next level.” With every game, she’s soaring to new heights. But there’s something her response has been long awaited for.
On May 25th, Angel Reese experienced what Caitlin Clark must have felt on the court when she endured a Flagrant 1 foul from Sky’s Chennedy Carter. During the game against the Sun, “Chi-Town Barbie” also became a victim of veteran Alyssa Thomas’ moves, as Thomas stuck up her arm and wrapped Reese’s neck while fighting for a rebound. Though she was flagrantly fouled, Reese remained unsatisfied—but not anymore.
In tonight’s game against the Connecticut Sun, the Chicago Sky rookie responded in the most dramatic way. “Angel Reese scored on Alyssa Thomas and hit her with the ‘too small’ gesture,” read a post by ClutchPoints on X. What’s better than revenge on the court?
It all started in the first quarter with Chennedy Carter’s hit on Marina Mabrey’s face. While Carter was flagrantly fouled for her act, the physical play continued with Reese taunting Thomas on the offensive end. Reese, who could not take the aggression, followed with her own teasing act.
She drove into the paint against Team USA standout Alyssa Thomas, who’s projected as one of the strongest in the league. Reese then found a space at the bottom of the net and backed down the WNBA veteran. However, she missed her first attempt. But then she did what she’s known for—quickly grabbed the offensive rebound and followed it up with a successful attempt.
Sure enough, the Maryland native proved that she’s more than just a rookie. “They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day,” she told The Athletic in May after Thomas’ foul. However, the race is still going on.
For Angel Reese goal is the Rookie of the Year title.
For Reese, taking revenge on Alyssa Thomas is just part of the bigger picture. As a rookie, Reese’s efforts are aimed at snatching the Rookie of the Year title from WNBA No. 1 overall draft pick, Caitlin Clark. Obviously, it won’t be easy, especially when both of them stand toe-to-toe in the ROTY race.
With an impressive average of 13.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per contest, Reese leads all rookies in rebounding average. In addition, she’s the only first-year player to record over 15 consecutive double-doubles. And in tonight’s game, she became the first player in WNBA with 2o rebounds in back-to-back games.
Clark, on the other hand, leads with the highest assists (19) by a WNBA player in a single game. She’s even the record holder for a triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history. Do you get why ROTY is a tough competition? Well, one thing is clear for sure—both of them are creating a legacy like never before. What do you think? Comment down below!
Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.
Chennedy Carter Takes Simultaneous Elbow to the Face From Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
On Sunday night, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury picked up their second win in post-Olympic break play against Chennedy Carter and the Chicago Sky, 86-68.
With 7:55 left in the third quarter and Phoenix up by 15, the action grew a little chippy when Carter took not one but two elbows to the face at the same time while trying to fight through a screen. One came from the 6-foot-9 Griner and the other came from Taurasi.
Carter appeared to get sandwiched by the elbows, causing her to drop to the floor in some pain. The play was reviewed for a technical foul on Griner, but it was called a common foul as it was not deemed intentional.
Carter finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. She was inserted into the starting lineup, replacing Rachel Banham, after coming off the bench on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Griner tallied 18 points on 50% shooting and five rebounds in the win, while Taurasi notched a game-high 23 points and five assists. Taurasi also received a flagrant one foul early in the game.
The Mercury are 15-13 in the 2024 WNBA season and are in a good position to secure a playoff spot. The Sky fall to 11-16 but still control their pursuit of a postseason spot.
The Sky face the Connecticut Sun in their next game on Friday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Mercury travel to Atlanta to face the Dream on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
