Daily News 19

Tag: Chicago Sky

  • Angel Reese Makes History as Wendell Carter Jr. Celebrates in Style

    Angel Reese Makes History as Wendell Carter Jr. Celebrates in Style

    Key Highlights

    • Angel Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record 500 rebounds in a single season during the Atlanta Dream’s 106-81 win over the Chicago Sky.
    • Reese posted 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals, powering Atlanta to its eighth victory in the last ten games.
    • NBA center Wendell Carter Jr. celebrated courtside in a custom Angel Reese jersey, continuing his visible support for the third-year star.

    Reese Etches Name in WNBA History with 500-Rebound Season

    Angel Reese’s record-setting 2026 campaign added another historic chapter Saturday night as the Atlanta Dream forward became the first player in WNBA history to surpass 500 rebounds in a single season. The milestone arrived during a dominant 106-81 victory over the Chicago Sky at Gateway Center Arena, where Reese delivered a near-quadruple-double stat line of 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals. The performance not only cemented her place in the league’s record books but also propelled Atlanta to its eighth win in ten outings, significantly bolstering the Dream’s postseason positioning with the playoffs on the horizon.

    Dominant Two-Way Impact Fuels Dream’s Late-Season Surge

    Reese’s historic rebounding achievement is the latest evidence of her unprecedented two-way impact in just her third professional season. Since the All-Star break, the former LSU standout has elevated her game to an MVP-caliber level, anchoring Atlanta’s defense while serving as the primary engine of their transition offense. Her 10 boards against Chicago pushed her season total past the 500 threshold — a mark no player, male or female, had ever reached in a single WNBA season. The Dream’s current 8-2 stretch has vaulted them into firm playoff contention, with Reese’s interior dominance allowing Atlanta to control tempo and generate high-percentage opportunities against overmatched frontcourts.

    Carter Jr. Continues Courtside Support for Rising Superstar

    Adding a crossover celebrity dimension to the historic night, Chicago Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. was courtside to witness the milestone in person. The NBA veteran, who has emerged as one of Reese’s most visible and consistent supporters, celebrated the achievement by wearing a custom Angel Reese jersey — continuing a pattern of public endorsement that has drawn attention to the growing connections between NBA and WNBA stars. Carter’s presence underscored the respect Reese has earned across the basketball ecosystem, with peers at the highest level recognizing the historic nature of her season. The two share Chicago roots, adding a layer of hometown pride to the public display of support.

    Why This Matters

    Reese’s 500-rebound season represents a statistical anomaly that reshapes expectations for interior play in the modern WNBA. In an era increasingly defined by pace, space, and perimeter skill, her ability to dominate the glass at historic volume while maintaining elite scoring efficiency challenges conventional roster construction wisdom. For the Atlanta Dream, the milestone arrives at a critical juncture: the franchise, long searching for a cornerstone player, now possesses a genuine face of the league whose prime years are still ahead. The playoff implications are immediate — Atlanta’s current trajectory suggests a favorable first-round matchup, and Reese’s rebounding dominance provides a sustainable competitive advantage in postseason series where possessions are at a premium. Beyond the court, the visible support from NBA peers like Carter Jr. signals a cultural shift in how women’s basketball stars are recognized and celebrated across the broader basketball community.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Has any WNBA player ever recorded 500 rebounds in a season before Angel Reese?
    No. Reese is the first player in WNBA history to reach the 500-rebound plateau in a single season, setting a new league record.
    What was Angel Reese’s stat line in the historic game against the Chicago Sky?
    Reese finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals in Atlanta’s 106-81 victory.
    Who is Wendell Carter Jr. and why was he at the game?
    Wendell Carter Jr. is a center for the Chicago Bulls (NBA). He has been a visible supporter of Angel Reese throughout the season and attended Saturday’s game wearing a custom Reese jersey to celebrate her historic achievement.
  • Lexie Hull Leaves the Court to Surprise Indiana Fever Fans With an Unexpected Day at the Ballpark

    Lexie Hull Leaves the Court to Surprise Indiana Fever Fans With an Unexpected Day at the Ballpark

    Lexie Hull stepped away from her usual Indiana Fever routine to take part in a special night at Victory Field between the team’s games against the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun.

    Lexie Hull throws ceremonial first pitch

    The event took place on August 27 during the Indianapolis Indians’ game against the Columbus Clippers. The evening was dedicated to Hull, giving the Indiana Fever guard an opportunity to connect with fans away from the basketball court.

    Hull was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch. From the mound, she delivered the ball toward home plate in a role far removed from her usual position on the basketball court. The Indiana Fever’s official account also shared photos of her appearance on social media.

    Hull returns to WNBA action

    Indiana Fever hosted the Connecticut Sun on Friday, August 28, one day after Hull’s appearance at the ballpark. Before the game, Hull drew attention with her fashion choice, arriving in a sparkling pink dress.

    Indiana went on to secure a 111-91 victory. Hull contributed 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in 24 minutes, helping the Fever produce an all-around performance.

    Indiana Fever prepare for WNBA break

    The win over Connecticut was especially important because it marked Indiana’s final game before the WNBA break, which was scheduled to accommodate the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

    The pause will give Hull and the rest of the Fever several days away from competition. Indiana’s next game is scheduled for September 18, when the team visits the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Canada.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Cameron Brink Attacks Enes Kanter Freedom: “He’s a stupid piece of s**t”

    Cameron Brink Attacks Enes Kanter Freedom: “He’s a stupid piece of s**t”

    Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink delivered a forceful rebuke of Enes Kanter Freedom’s public campaign targeting transgender eligibility in the WNBA, dismissing the issue as a manufactured controversy designed for attention. Speaking to The Mirror US after practice, Brink did not mince words about Freedom’s motives or the impact on the transgender community.

    Brink calls controversy a ‘non-issue’ and criticizes Freedom directly

    “For me personally, when it comes to the trans issues I believe you’re talking about, I think it’s a non-issue and it’s people trying to just come for the trans community, and I just don’t stand for that,”

    Brink told the outlet. She then added a personal condemnation of Freedom:

    “I don’t know what the f**k his name is, Enes Kanter, like he’s a stupid piece of s**t.”

    The comments arrive as Freedom continues to pressure the league into a wider political and cultural debate despite there currently being no transgender women playing in the WNBA.

    Accusations of manufactured outrage for ‘clickbait, views, and likes’

    Brink’s objection centered not only on Freedom’s position but on what she described as his exploitation of the league’s platform.

    “I think people are tuned in [to the WNBA] for the right reasons,”

    Brink said.

    “It’s great that we can all talk about things that are important and hard, and you can have your opinions on that.”

    She drew a sharp line between open discourse and what she views as opportunism:

    “But I think taking something that’s like a non-issue right now and trying to use it for clickbait, for views, for likes, and then targeting a vulnerable community is just really low.”

    That stance aligns with Brink’s previous public advocacy for inclusion in women’s basketball. She has spoken about having teammates who use they/them pronouns and has argued against players receiving attention solely based on appearance.

    “I want everyone to be accepted, not just paid attention to because of how they look,”

    Brink previously told UPROXX.

    Ejection from Chicago Sky game escalates dispute

    The latest flashpoint occurred Sunday at Wintrust Arena during the Indiana Fever–Chicago Sky game. Freedom was escorted from the building following a verbal exchange with Natasha Cloud. According to Freedom’s account, Cloud told him, She’s not going to sleep with you, after he reacted to a Sophie Cunningham three-pointer. Freedom said he responded that he was not there to sleep with her, but instead to protect women and support her.

    The Chicago Sky subsequently banned Freedom from home games, though the WNBA has not issued a league-wide ban.

    Freedom’s draft declaration adds another layer

    Earlier this month, Freedom announced his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while claiming to identify as a woman, framing the move as a challenge to the league’s eligibility framework. The argument surrounding Freedom has now moved well beyond league policy and into a broader fight over motive, publicity, and who is being affected by the debate.

    Brink left little ambiguity about her own view. She believes the WNBA is being used as a stage for a controversy that does not currently exist on the court, and that the people caught in the middle are members of the transgender community.