Angel Reese Shines in Sky Victory Over Indiana Fever: A Night of Records and Reflection
by: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau
In a closely contested WNBA game at Wintrust Arena, the Chicago Sky edged out the Indiana Fever 88-87 in a thrilling finish. Angel Reese, the standout rookie for the Sky, played a pivotal role in the victory, delivering a career-high 25 points and 16 rebounds, which helped her team overturn a 15-point deficit in the second half.
Reese, whose performance has been nothing short of spectacular, shared her tenacity and mindset after the game: “I’m a dog, you can’t teach that,” she stated during her walk-off interview. “I’m gonna go out and do whatever it takes to win, and every single night my teammates rely on my energy. Being able to continue the energy even when we’re down, even when we’re up—that’s what I do.”
She also reflected on the support she has received from basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes: “I’d rather not share [what Swoopes told me], but she said she’s proud of me. I’m already being coached by a legend, but having Sheryl Swoopes in your corner is something I’ve always needed. She’s been a great mentor, understanding what I’ve been through and what I’m going through.”
On the other side, Fever guard Caitlin Clark also made headlines by setting a new franchise record with 13 assists, adding 17 points and tying her career-high with four steals. Clark emphasized her trust in her teammates, saying, “I’m sure there was an opportunity or two for me to probably attempt another shot there at the end, but I trust my teammates. Obviously, 13 assists mean my teammates scored off 13 of my passes. It’s a really great number, so I’m going to give them the ball every time.”
The game’s atmosphere was electric, with celebrities and sports legends in attendance, reflecting the growing interest and support for women’s basketball. “It’s good for the game, good for women’s basketball, but also good for women’s sports,” Reese commented about the crowd. “You see NBA players, rappers, legends that played in the league for a great long time come out and show support.”
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell noted the significance of the game’s atmosphere: “Today was a really good moment to be a part of. The atmosphere, the media, the fans, your family, the young kids—I think this was a good atmosphere for us. I think that the women’s basketball game as a whole took a big jump today.”
Despite the loss, the Fever displayed a strong team performance, and both teams showed resilience and sportsmanship that underscored the competitiveness of the league. Reese encapsulated the sentiment, reflecting on her team overcoming challenges: “That losing streak definitely spoke a lot for us, hard times in the locker room, hard conversations in the locker room. But being able to take that, everybody looked in the mirror and figured out what to do to get better. It doesn’t stop here, two-game win streak, we gotta keep going.”
This game not only highlighted individual achievements but also the collective growth and excitement surrounding the WNBA, promising more thrilling basketball as the season progresses.
