Angel Reese proven right as rookie inspires Chicago Sky to 48-point win against New York Liberty

Angel Reese wasted no time transitioning from the glitz and glamour of the Met Gala back to the hardwood, helping the Chicago Sky dismantle the New York Liberty – a formidable opponent that reached the finals last season.

Under the guidance of coach Teresa Weatherspoon, the Sky exhibited a relentless offensive onslaught, initiating the game with a commanding 13-0 lead before winning 101-51. While Reese wasn’t the primary focus of the Sky’s offensive strategy, her unparalleled tenacity shone through, as she provided 13 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist.

Demonstrating her hustle on the court, Reese secured her spot on the scoresheet by capitalizing on opportunities near the basket, often contending against the formidable defense of former league MVP Jonquel Jones. With a display of strength, balance, and aggression, Reese contributed significantly to the Sky’s dominance, propelling them to a commanding 20-point lead by halftime.

A standout moment unfolded in the third quarter of the game when Reese received the ball on the low block, confidently scoring over Jones and celebrating the accomplishment. Following this play, she swiftly secured a steal on the subsequent possession and delivered an outlet pass for an easy layup on the other end, extending their lead to 65-36. This sequence of events ignited optimism among Sky fans for the upcoming season.

Just a day before the big win, Reese fulfilled a lifelong dream by attending the Met Gala and basking in her newfound superstardom. The star-studded affair placed Reese alongside Hollywood’s elite, with luminaries like Kim Kardashian, Lewis Hamilton, Zendaya, and others gracing the red carpet.

Reese impressed the media in attendance in a blue sheer 16Arlington gown. Reflecting on her attendance, she revealed that walking the Met Gala’s red carpet was a dream, just like playing in the WNBA. “I’m just excited to see everyone’s outfit. Everyone looks amazing here. I’ve always dreamed of this moment, so being here on my 22nd birthday is amazing,” said Reese. But her attendance also drew scrutiny from her detractors online.

Reese scored 13 against the Liberty© WNBA

Amidst the Sky’s training camp and preseason, Reese’s decision to attend the Met Gala was not taken lightly. She immediately addressed any concerns, asserting her commitment to maximizing every moment of the day on and off the court on X.

Images soon surfaced of Reese commemorating her 22nd birthday during team practice earlier that day, effectively debunking doubts about her dedication. In response to her appearance at the star-studded affair, Reese emphasized the intersection between the WNBA and fashion. “A lot of us got drip,” said Reese. “We can dress; we have fashion on and off the court. We love to look good, a lot of us in the league.

“A lot of these women have deserved this [new level of fame] before, and I’ve watched players like Lisa Leslie. That’s somebody I’ve always looked at where she always had her hair done and lips on. I’ve always embodied that, so just being able to continue that and allow that to grow is really cool.”

She highlighted how the league prioritizes fashion, particularly in pre-game rituals where outfits take center stage. With media and fellow players closely observing the pre-game tunnel, Reese’s presence at the Met Gala was a testament to the WNBA’s growing influence in fashion and entertainment.

The Sky’s preseason journey has been a mix of outcomes, starting with a loss to the Minnesota Lynx in their first matchup of the year. The victory against New York brought their preseason record to an even 1-1. Chicago will gear up for their first regular-season game on May 15 against the Dallas Wings in an away game.

HOT NEWS: 

DIANA TAURASI IS GETTING RIPPED TO SHREDS FOR HER NASTY COMMENTS ABOUT LSU STAR ANGEL REESE

Diana Taurasi and Angel Reese. (Photos via Getty Images)
Diana Taurasi may be at odds with LSU basketball fans after a comment she made about star player Angel Reese after the ladder’s final college game against the Caitlyn Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes in the Final Four.

Taurasi referenced an iconic clip of Reese waving goodbye to Middle Tennessee player Anastasiia Boldyreva after she fouled out, on an alternative ESPN broadcast with one of her former teammates at UConn, and former fellow WNBA star Sue Bird. “Wave bye-bye to your own career,” she ruthlessly said.

Her cohort, Bird had to remind the 42-year-old of Reese’s continued college career success and the probability of Reese being a top selection in the WNBA Draft this off-season.

This prompted Taurasi to apologize, responding “My bad.”

“Wave bye bye to your own career.”

Diana Taurasi with the not so subtle diss to Angel Reese on Reese Bye-Bye to Middle Tennessee’s Anastasiia Boldyreva. #WomensFinalFour — The Whole Delivery (@TWDTV1) April 6, 2024

Viewers of the broadcast found the clip very distasteful with some responding, flaming Taurasi for her comments, after a clip of the comment surfaced on X.

Angel Reese Has Yet To Respond To The Taurasi Comment

One fan commented on how Taurasi should be supporting women in the sport as she does have a history of beefing with other young college stars.

Another questioned the Mercury guard for hating on Reese, while another fan even called for her to retire.

Yeah that’s how you show people you support young women in sports:

Hate on the young women for no reason 😒. Old heads in sports love hating on the next generation and it’s so weird. — Shaun Bellamy (@KingSB93) April 6, 2024

Why’s she hating on a college kid?? — Jabrii (@jabrii33) April 6, 2024

Retire Grandma. — Susan Lassiter-Lyons (@susanlyons) April 6, 2024

While fans may definitely be on the youngster’s side, Reese herself has not responded to comment.

The first match-up between whichever team selects the LSU star and Taurasi’s Phoenix Mercury will certainly be an interesting one to tune into.

With many having Reese going at either 6th or 7th in the draft, her first season will definitely be one to watch as she is part of the next generation of promising WNBA stars and could be a Rookie of the Year winner.

HOT NEWS: 

CAITLIN CLARK ADMITS WHERE SHE IS WEAK IN THE WNBA AND WHY SHE NEEDS TO IMPROVE

She will make her preseason debut on Friday night at Dallas.

Caitlin Clark speaks about adjusting to the WNBA, spacing, fitting in and being herself. WNBA teams have started making moves to capitalize on the popularity of Caitlin Clark.

Some are booking bigger venues for when Clark and the Indiana Fever come to town. The Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics have moved their games against the Fever to bigger arenas. The numbers Clark generated in college indicates it’s a smart move.

Clark will make her preseason debut on Friday night at Dallas – a game that is already sold out.

Caitlin Clark: “I’ll have to get stronger”

“I think the physicality is probably going to be one of the biggest things for myself. Like, it reminds me of the international game in a way.

The international game is very, very physical. Obviously, the college game, it was physical to an extent, but the people I’m going to be playing in this league are full-grown, very strong women.

You’re going to get hit. You’re going to get bumped. People are going to defend you hard when you’re driving the ball to court. And I think just getting used to that physicality of the game will probably be one of the biggest things for myself to overcome is just mentally, but also physically is like, I’ll have to get stronger.

Obviously that’s hard to do coming from college to like starting a whole another season. There’s only so much you can do in the weight room. But, I think as my career kind of unfolds, you know, just getting physically stronger and, you know, being able to hold my own.”

“It will definitely be an adjustment, but, you know, it is what it is. I think the CBA is up for renegotiation after the season, we can opt out of it, and certainly the new media rights deal will have a big impact on that too.

So, at this point of my career, and across the WNBA, it is what it is. I’m sure certainly everybody would say they would love to be flying charter all the time.

It would definitely help a lot of problems, but I think the Fever organization has done a really good job of getting out ahead of things; there’s gonna be a lot of security traveling with us. It’s not like we’re the odd man out here.

Everybody has to navigate it. And I think it’s gonna, you know, cause some problems, maybe, because the popularity of our league is continuing to grow.

Having to navigate travel with that, but at the same time, as you know, that’s a positive thing; you want people to be excited about our game. So, hopefully it changes in the near future, but for now, it’s just what it is.”