Chicago Sky star Angel Reese was terrific in her return from a again damage Tuesday, although her efforts weren’t sufficient in opposition to a Seattle Storm crew that is determined to carry on to a playoff spot. Reese put up 19 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists on 9 of 13 from the sector, however the Sky fell, 94-88.
Reese had missed the Sky’s final seven video games, and 9 of their 11 contests because the All-Star Sport because of a lingering again subject, however was cleared to return to apply over the weekend. After going by shootaround with no issues on Tuesday morning, she was given the inexperienced mild to play in opposition to the Storm.
It did not take her lengthy to get entangled, as she transformed a troublesome layup lower than a minute into the sport. She continued to make performs all night time lengthy and completed with considered one of her best outings of the season.
Earlier than Tuesday, Reese final performed on July 29 in the course of the Sky’s 103-86 loss to the Mystics, and she or he endured a irritating night time. Whereas she put up 22 factors and 13 rebounds, she shot 6 of 16 from the sector and was hampered by each foul hassle and again ache.
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Sky coach Tyler Marsh mentioned beforehand Reese’s again tightened up after the loss to the Mystics and that the crew had been holding her out as a precautionary measure. There was no motive for the Sky to hurry Reese again once they have been nicely out of the playoff race. That might be true with any damage, however particularly a again subject.
Following Tuesday’s defeat, the Sky are 8-26 and on the verge of formally being eradicated from playoff rivalry.
Reese’s sophomore season has been a curler coaster. She bought off to a traditionally dangerous begin and thru her first seven video games was taking pictures a dismal 30.9% from the sector, together with 16 of fifty (32%) within the restricted space. She steadily improved, although, and on June 15 she recorded her first profession triple-double in a win over the Connecticut Solar.
Per week later, she recorded the primary of 11 consecutive double-doubles. That streak, which made her the primary participant in league historical past to have a number of double-double streaks of at the very least 10 video games, got here to an in depth on Tuesday. Throughout these 11 video games, Reese averaged 16.9 factors and 13.1 rebounds on 50.9% taking pictures.
Reese was named an All-Star for the second time in two seasons on July 6.