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Angel Race finished with a game-high 25 points and 16 rebounds in Kaitlyn Clark’s win over the Indiana Fever.
CNN
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Angel Reese’s The Chicago Sky defeated Kathleen Clarke’s Indiana Fever 88-87 on Sunday in front of a star-studded crowd at Wintrust Arena.
WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, rappers Chance the Rapper and Lil Durk and actor Jason Sudeikis were all in Chicago to watch the teams’ third meeting this season.
Clarke and the Fever had won the previous two meetings, but it proved to be third time lucky for the Sky, who prevailed under pressure. Game.
Reese finished with a career-high 25 points and 16 rebounds, extending her WNBA rookie record double-double streak to eight games, becoming only the third player in league history to do so, joining Sylvia Foles and Candace Parker.
“That’s what I do: I go out and perform,” Reese told reporters. on ESPN. “Every day I do what it takes to win.”
Clark had a solid performance with 17 points and 13 assists.
USA Today’s Nancy Armor described the atmosphere as “electric … the kind of energy this city hasn’t seen for a professional basketball game since the Jordan years.”
Camille Krzaczynski / USA Today Sports / Reuters
Clarke delivered a franchise record 13 in the loss against Sky.
In the two previous meetings between the Sky and Fever this WNBA season, practice intensity has been a major talking point.
In both games, Clark has been on the receiving end of foul offenses. First from Kennedy Carter and then From Reese. But Sunday’s game went off without a hitch.
The first half was tight, with seven goal difference and eight lead changes. However, the Heat jumped out to a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter, but the Sky raced back to tie the game at 82 with three minutes remaining.
With the score tied at 84 with just under a minute left, Reese made a layup to put Chicago up by two. The Sky will hold on to the lead for their sixth win of the season.
She was the top scorer for the Chicago Rays, but she was held to 23 points by Carter. Rookie of the Year Alia Boston added 18 points for Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, scoring a team-high 24 points.
Reese, 22, became the first rookie in Sky franchise history to score 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds in a game, while Clarke made her own history by becoming the first 15+ point, 10th starter in WNBA history. + Helper and 5+ three pointers made in one game.
Clark and Reese’s rivalry has been well-documented since their high-profile clash in the 2023 NCAA Championship Game.
Melissa Tammes / Icon Sports Wire / Getty Images
Even in their rookie years, Angel and Clark became two of the WNBA’s biggest stars.
“It’s good for the game, it’s good for women’s basketball, but it’s also good for women’s sports,” Rees said of the crowd. on ESPN. “You see NBA players, rappers, long-time legends in the league come out and show support. You know everyone is watching now.
“I think this is one of the most important moments right now, and we will continue to be. I think both teams did an amazing job of putting on a show tonight. It was fun. I had a great time, I’m sure the other team had a great time.
The win means the Sky improve to 6-9 on the season, while the loss ends Indiana’s four-game winning streak and sees them slip to 7-11.
Chicago is eighth in the WNBA standings, with the Heat one spot behind them in ninth.