Angel Reese made WNBA history on Tuesday night by becoming the fastest player to reach 500 rebounds and 500 points, achieving the milestone in just 38 games despite her Chicago Sky losing to the Phoenix Mercury 94-89. The record-breaking performance unfolded amid intense online backlash, highlighting both her individual skill and the challenges she faces from critics as the new season begins.
Angel Reese Shatters Milestones Amid Team’s Losing Streak
Playing in Phoenix, Angel Reese continued to stand out for the Chicago Sky as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat this season, now 0-4. In a game where her team struggled to gain traction, Reese delivered 13 points and a dominant 15 rebounds, alongside three assists, three steals, and two blocks. These numbers marked her third double-double in four games, underscoring her consistency as a sophomore center in the league.
Reese’s landmark achievement—surpassing Tina Charles’s previous record of 44 games—cements her as the quickest in WNBA history to reach the combined 500 rebounds and 500 points milestone. Despite the loss, Reese reposted recognition of her accomplishment on social media alongside a brief message, emphasizing resilience and faith.
God has a plan. Day by day,
—Angel Reese, WNBA Player
Criticism Persists Despite Reese’s Strong Contributions
Even though Reese’s stat line was impressive, harsh criticism followed her missed layup late in the fourth quarter. Fans took to social media to mock her shot-making abilities, which have been scrutinized since her rookie season. Reese’s finishing around the basket has been a frequent target, with many viewers highlighting her unorthodox style and lack of consistency on what are typically high-percentage shots.
One video from the latest game, where Reese missed a close-range shot after catching the ball in the paint, quickly went viral. Viewers described her layup technique as among the worst they have witnessed, criticizing her coordination and leg strength.
Nah man Angel Reese really got the worst layup package we’ve ever seen. This is crazy,
—Fan on X (formerly Twitter)
Her hand eye coordination needs some major work,
—Fan on X
It’s almost like she’s jumping DOWN on her layups. She needs to strengthen her legs. Get some bounce in those put backs,
—Fan comment on social media
Last season’s statistics reveal Reese converted only 42 percent of her layup attempts (136 of 321). She has openly acknowledged this deficiency on social platforms, calling it
“the worst you’ll ever see me”
in terms of shooting accuracy. Still, some veteran voices recognize her potential for improvement.
Veteran Advice Aims to Improve Reese’s Finishing Skills
Lisa Leslie, a WNBA legend and retired star, addressed Reese’s shooting struggles directly during an appearance on the podcast Unapologetically Angel earlier this year. Leslie promised to assist Reese in refining her layup technique, emphasizing that this aspect of her game is entirely correctable.
The biggest advice I have for you is gonna be how you shoot your layups, period,
—Lisa Leslie, Former WNBA Player
We’re gonna fix that. That’s fixable for you.
—Lisa Leslie
Just the idea that you want to get better, like I love that.
—Lisa Leslie
Team Struggles Compound Amid Player Departures and Tough Schedule
The Chicago Sky’s rough start to the season is not solely due to Reese’s missed shots. Following the departure of leading scorer Chennedy Carter, who left as a free agent, the team has struggled to adjust offensively. Their 0-4 run now ties the worst opening record in franchise history.
The Sky face stiff competition ahead, with upcoming games against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, followed by a highly anticipated rematch versus the Indiana Fever. The Fever matchup carries added tension after a previous incident involving a flagrant foul on Reese by Caitlin Clark, which attracted significant media attention.
The Broader Impact and What to Watch Next
Angel Reese’s record-breaking pace underlines her formidable talent and potential to become one of the WNBA’s defining players despite the negative reactions to her playing style. The ongoing criticism of her layups adds a layer of tension around her development but also drives conversations about perseverance and growth in professional sports.
With experienced mentors like Lisa Leslie ready to help, Reese’s journey to improve her weaknesses while continuing to dominate on rebounds and scoring will be critical to both her personal success and the Chicago Sky’s prospects this season. As the team battles for its first win, all eyes will remain on Reese as she works to silence doubters and lead the franchise forward.