Women's Fastbreak On SI

Sky Rookie Angel Reese's Double-Double Streak Is Topic of Critical Conversation

Robin Lundberg

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Angel Reese's double-double streak has started to take on a life of its own. The Chicago Sky rookie made WNBA history by passing Candace Parker and has had some tremendous games along the way, that is not up for debate. But of late it seems the streak is the focus of attention after the Sky play and not the result of the contest, or even whether Angel had a good game. This was enough of a talking point that Chicago coach Teresa Weatherspoon addressed it following the team's loss to the New York Liberty saying of her All-Star, "She's not out there for records, she's out there for wins."

Reese invited some scrutiny when she made a clear effort to get a double-double with points in a game that had already been decided against the Atlanta Dream. Angel could be seen calling for the ball with her team up 7 in the waning seconds. This instance was particularly notable to me given Reese was already in possession of the league record for most consecutive double-doubles and had played well against Atlanta. Angel was efficient and a plus-12 on the floor, her game did not become better because she reached 10-points. The same goes for the loss to the Liberty on the opposite end of the spectrum, as Reese struggled to deal with the length of Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones and shot just 5-17 from the floor. She didn't all the sudden have a good game because social media teams were able post a graphic following a few late rebounds.

Weatherspoon has also been questioned about Angel's fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso's minutes during this stretch. Cardoso logged just 20 against New York, this after she had the same amount of playing time in a loss to the Seattle Storm, which led to Storm coach Noelle Quinn citing it as a significant difference on the boards. Quinn said this when asked about her team being successful on the glass in the game, "Kamilla only played 20 minutes. She was out a little bit more." Reese was quick to defend her coach following some critical comments made by fans after that contest.

Angel has extended her streak late in several games, grabbing her 10th rebound with 2:12 left against the Liberty and her team down 11. She scored the aforementioned point to get to double figures against the Dream with 6.1 seconds left and her team up 7. She also got to 10-points on a free throw with 23 seconds left and her team down 9 in a game against the Minnesota Lynx.

Reese has had some notably monstrous performances along the way too, including the 25 and 16 she put up in a win over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Angel collected 27 and 10 in a victory over Seattle as well. Those feats stood out not because she recorded a double-double but due to her overall impact on the game.

The streak she is on is historic and can't be taken away. But at this juncture I'm not sure it is helping Angel's case anymore, as it feels like it has become the central focus of conversation around the Sky, simply to be used as a crutch in any argument pitting Reese against Clark for WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Published |Modified
Robin Lundberg

ROBIN LUNDBERG

Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!

Home/Analysis