Angel Reese Sets Another Double-Double Record After Return From Back Injury

Angel Reese continues setting records in her second season in the WNBA despite missing multiple games due to an injury.

Angel Reese Sets Another Double-Double Record After Return From Back Injury

Angel Reese sets another WNBA record (Image via FirstSportz)

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In her rookie season, Angel Reese demolished pre-draft doubts by dominating the backboards on her way to notching a few records. The expectation this season was for her to level up on those achievements.

After she suffered a season-ending injury last campaign, the single-season rebounding record went to A’ja Wilson. This campaign, the Chicago Sky forward’s fans hoped she would take care of that and own that record.

Had she not injured her back, she would have had 9 more games to improve her current tally. Even though she is averaging a rebound less than her record-setting pace last season, she would have easily overtaken Wilson’s record.

The 23-year-old might not break a sweat on missing that chance, knowing she has the best motor in the league. That should help her set the record in the coming years of her career.

On the other hand, her scoring has gone up, and so has her efficiency in general, and from free throws. But the most notable improvement has been her passing. Earlier against the Las Vegas Aces, Angel Reese did not have the assists to show off, but her scoring and rebounding helped her garner another double-double.

It so happens that this double-double is the 20th of this season. With that, she has racked up 46 over her first two seasons in the WNBA. That number helps her overtake the great Tina Charles for the most double-doubles in a player’s first two seasons in the league.

Charles needed 68 games to get to 45 double-doubles. Reese, on the other hand, has done it in just 61 games, another testament to her incredible motor and improving skill.

Chicago Sky have to complement Angel Reese’s talents

Last season, Angel Reese was a revelation for the Chicago Sky. Her fellow draftee, Kamilla Cardoso, could not make her mark and was mostly playing second fiddle.

This season, the Brazilian has stepped up and, combined with the LSU star, has become quite a handful for opposing defenses. The latter’s much-improved playmaking from her new point-forward role has helped the Sky improve their offense.

At the same time, the rest of the team has yet to step up. Ariel Atkins performs well in spurts, but to win games, the Sky require her to be consistent on a nightly basis.

The same problem plagues the entire team. In one game, one or two players shine, whereas the others struggle. In the next game, others shine, whereas the starters struggle.

Even Cardoso has to work on her consistency if she is to become a top player. Angel Reese stands out as the only player on that roster who consistently performs well.

If the franchise wants to win games consistently, it needs to figure out the best set of players to build around the Maryland native. Otherwise, they will continue to falter.

Angel Reese’s defense of A’ja Wilson was exemplary

In her 20th double-double of the season, Angel Reese scored 10 points. It was not a great shooting night for her, but she did what she had to. But what truly stunned WNBA fans was her defense.

Angel Reese defending A'ja Wilson
Angel Reese defending A’ja Wilson (Image via I Talk Hoops/X)

The 6′ 3″ forward is not a pure shot blocker like her fellow Skyscraper, or athletically gifted like A’ja Wilson, who uses those skills to harass opponents. Nor does Reese have the arm length of Cameron Brink.

What she does have, and which was exemplary for her, is her awareness and positioning. In Wilson’s previous game, she scored 36 points against a capable Washington Mystics defense.

This time, the Reebok signature athlete stopped the three-time league MVP at just 18 points. She does not have the stats to prove it, but anyone who watched the game would see how Reese’s positioning, hand placement, and footwork stopped Wilson from scoring at her usual pace.

The Chicago Sky have enough evidence to know which player is playing at a superstar level. All they need is consistent shooters and perimeter defenders, and they can start becoming a regular playoff threat.

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