Chicago Sky, led by Angel Reese, triumphs over Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever, delighting a star-studded audience in Chicago.
Former WNBA standout Sheryl Swoopes, New York Knicks luminary Jalen Brunson, rap artists Chance the Rapper and Lil Durk, and comedian-actor Jason Sudeikis gathered in Chicago to witness the third matchup between the teams this WNBA season.
The Fever had triumphed in the previous encounters, but the Sky managed to turn the tables on Sunday, securing a hard-fought victory.
Reese delivered an astounding performance, scoring a staggering 25 points and pulling down 16 rebounds, thereby extending her WNBA rookie record double-double run to an impressive eight consecutive games,place her among an elite group that includes Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker.
According to ESPN, Reese asserted post-match, "I show up and deliver each day, giving my best to secure a win."
Clark also showcased a solid performance, netting 17 points and setting up 13 assists.
As reported by USA Today’s Nancy Armour, the atmosphere was charged, reminiscent of the Jordan era of professional basketball in Chicago.
In the previous two meetings between the Sky and the Fever this season, the high-intensity action has been the subject of much debate. In each game, Clark faced flagrant fouls, initially from Chennedy Carter, and later from Reese. However, Sunday's contest was relatively peaceful.
The game began with a closely contested first half, marked by seven ties and eight lead changes. Toward the third quarter, the Fever held a commanding 15-point advantage; however, the Sky staged a comeback, tying the score at 82 with three minutes remaining.
With the score tied at 84 with roughly one minute on the clock, Reese executed a powerful layup to put Chicago ahead by two points. The Sky successfully defended their lead to secure their sixth win for the season.
Reese topped the scoring for Chicago, while she received support from Carter's 23 points. Indiana's Kelsey Mitchell led the team with 24 points, with Aliyah Boston contributing 18 points.
Reese marked the first rookie in Sky history to score 20 or more points and gather 15 or more rebounds in a single game, while Clark set a new standard, becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record 15+ points, 10+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers in a game.
The rivalry between Clark and Reese has been a topic of interest ever since their high-profile clash in the 2023 NCAA championship match.
Reese shared her thoughts on the crowd, stating to ESPN, "It's fantastic for women’s basketball, great for sports, and awesome for women’s sports as well. You notice NBA players, rappers, those who played in the league for years coming to support. Everyone's watching, I believe."
She further added, "This is one of the most significant moments right now. We just keep going and giving our best performances to entertain. I think both teams did a fantastic job tonight."
The win elevated the Sky to a 6-9 record for the season, ending the Fever's four-game winning streak and leaving them holding a 7-11 record.
Currently, the Sky sit in eighth place in the WNBA standings, with the Fever positioned one spot lower in ninth.
