Angel Reese Dominates Against Sparks, Sets Historic WNBA Rebounding Streak
In a remarkable display of basketball prowess and personal resilience, Angel Reese delivered a commanding performance that not only propelled the Chicago Sky to a crucial 92-85 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks but also established a new WNBA record that will likely be remembered for years to come. The second-year forward’s exceptional stat line of 24 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists represented more than just impressive numbers on a scoreboard—it was a testament to her evolution as a player and her unwavering determination to overcome early-season struggles that had threatened to derail her promising career.
The most significant achievement of Reese’s stellar performance was her unprecedented fourth consecutive game with at least 15 rebounds, a streak that has never been accomplished in the history of the Women’s National Basketball Association and underscores her dominance on the boards in ways that veteran players and basketball analysts are still trying to fully comprehend. This historic rebounding streak has positioned Reese not just as the current league leader in total rebounds and rebounds per game, but as a player who is fundamentally changing how basketball experts view the modern power forward position in women’s professional basketball.
What makes Reese’s recent surge even more remarkable is the dramatic contrast it presents to her challenging start to the season, when she struggled through the first eight games with averages of just 10.1 points on a disappointing 35.8% shooting percentage while making only 67.7% of her free throws and committing nearly four turnovers per game. The transformation from those early struggles to her current dominant form has been nothing short of extraordinary, with Reese averaging 13.4 points on much-improved 42.9% shooting over the seven games leading up to Sunday’s contest, while simultaneously improving her free-throw percentage to 86.5% and reducing her turnovers to just 2.9 per game.
Against the Sparks, Reese’s shooting efficiency reached new heights as she connected on 10 of 19 field goal attempts and made all four of her free-throw attempts, demonstrating the kind of consistency and composure that had been missing from her game during those difficult opening weeks of the season. Her seven assists against Los Angeles tied a game-high and represented her second-highest total of the season, showcasing an evolving basketball IQ and court vision that has allowed her to impact winning in multiple ways beyond her well-documented rebounding prowess.
The psychological aspect of Reese’s journey has been equally compelling, as she has transformed criticism about frequently rebounding her own missed shots into a branding opportunity and philanthropic endeavor through her “Mebound” clothing line, with proceeds supporting the Angel C. Reese Foundation’s mission to combat cyberbullying. This creative response to criticism demonstrates not only her business acumen but also her mature approach to handling the pressures and scrutiny that come with being a high-profile professional athlete in an era of constant social media commentary and analysis.
Sunday’s victory became even more impressive when considering that the Sky achieved this result without center Kamilla Cardoso, who is currently representing Brazil at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup in Chile and whose absence created additional pressure on Reese to shoulder a heavier load in the frontcourt. The timing of Cardoso’s international commitment, combined with the recent season-ending ACL injury to veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot, has forced the Sky to rely heavily on Reese’s leadership and production during a critical stretch of their season.
The supporting cast around Reese stepped up magnificently against the Sparks, with five Chicago players scoring in double figures, including guard Kia Nurse’s 14 points off the bench and Ariel Atkins’ 20-point contribution that included two crucial three-pointers among the team’s impressive 11 makes from beyond the arc. This balanced offensive attack, facilitated in part by Reese’s seven assists and her ability to create opportunities for teammates through her rebounding and court presence, demonstrated the kind of team basketball that can make the Sky dangerous as they head into the All-Star break.
The Sparks, despite the ceremonial retirement of Candace Parker’s jersey at halftime and strong individual performances from Kelsey Plum (22 points) and Dearica Hamby (20 points, 10 rebounds), could not match the energy and execution displayed by a Chicago team that seemed to feed off Reese’s infectious determination and competitive spirit. Los Angeles’s recent struggles, having lost five of their last six games, were evident in their inability to maintain the slim one-point lead they held entering the fourth quarter, as the Sky’s superior depth and cohesion ultimately proved decisive in the final twelve minutes of play.
As Reese eloquently stated after the game, “God doesn’t give me any storm that I can’t handle,” a philosophy that has clearly guided her through the adversity of her early-season struggles and propelled her toward the historic achievements that are now defining her sophomore campaign. Her ability to find alternative ways to contribute when her scoring wasn’t falling, combined with her relentless pursuit of rebounds and increasingly sophisticated passing, has transformed her from a player fighting through growing pains into a legitimate cornerstone for the Sky’s future aspirations and a genuine force in the WNBA landscape.