The Chicago Sky could have come up brief on the scoreboard Tuesday evening at Barclays Middle, falling 85-66 to the undefeated New York Liberty, however Angel Reese discovered a solution to make the evening memorable for extra than simply her stat line.
Within the wake of the defeat, the standout ahead not solely continued to dominate on the court docket but additionally had a viral second with none aside from tennis phenom Coco Gauff.
Reese delivered a game-high efficiency with 17 factors and 11 rebounds, marking her thirtieth profession double-double, making her the quickest participant in WNBA historical past to succeed in that mark.
Her consistency and poise, even in difficult matchups, continues to affirm her rising standing within the league.
Whereas the Sky could not maintain tempo with the Liberty‘s firepower, Reese‘s particular person effort as soon as once more proved she belongs among the many league’s elite. But it surely wasn’t simply her on-court manufacturing that had followers buzzing.
A courtside crossover of queens in New York
Among the many celebrities watching from courtside was newly topped French Open champion Coco Gauff, simply days faraway from defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to assert her second Grand Slam title.
At solely 21, Gauff is already being heralded because the “Queen of Clay,” changing into the youngest American girl to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2002.
“A queen acknowledges a queen,” a person wrote on X. Gauff sat alongside Vanessa Bryant and her daughters, including much more star energy to the night.
Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant stopped by for a greeting, and Gauff later visited the Liberty locker room after the sport, sharing smiles and selfies with gamers.
But the standout crossover second got here after the ultimate buzzer, when Reese shared a heartfelt Instagram Story video of herself assembly Gauff. “The QUEEN,” Reese wrote within the caption, tagging the tennis star straight.
Regardless of the loss, Reese regarded thrilled, smiling extensive in her brief clip with Gauff. Whereas sports activities followers proceed to have a good time Gauff‘s rising legacy on the tennis court docket, Reese’s admiration mirrored the mutual respect shared amongst rising ladies’s sports activities icons.
“Congrats to Coco. She’s wonderful,” Reese stated after the sport. “As a younger black girl, I am tremendous impressed by every part she does, and to see her come present as much as a WNBA sport clearly exhibits how a lot she helps ladies, she helps ladies in sports activities.
“I simply hope she continues to only be her. She’s her via every part. I do know it is powerful days, and as a younger girl with a lot fame, and a lot happening the skin, she continues to only thrive via, and I am tremendous impressed.”
The Chicago Sky can have an opportunity to rebound from the loss after they face the Atlanta Dream on Friday.
