Angel Reese was in no mood to celebrate setting a franchise record for Chicago Sky on Thursday night after her team were dominated by Phoenix Mercury on the WNBA’s return.
In the third quarter, Reese set a Sky franchise mark for most offensive rebounds in a single season, breaking the record set by Sylvia Fowles (117) in 2013.
But after Kahleah Copper drained 29 points – and was backed up by fellow USA Olympic gold winner Brittney Griner with 23 in an 85-65 loss – Reese gave a reporter a blunt answer about the achievement when she faced the media after the game.
‘I know you care a lot more about the results than records but you set another record today,’ the reporter started, before Reese shook her head and interrupted.
‘No, I don’t want to hear about no record today,’ Reese shot back, before the reporter had even finished asking the question.
Angel Reese was not impressed with a question about her new Chicago Sky record
Reese broke the Sky franchise mark of 117 for most offensive rebounds in a single season
The Sky rookie spoke more about the respect she holds for the Mercury after such a performance – notably Griner.
‘She’s a great player, really efficient tonight,’ Reese said. ‘Just being able to follow the game plan was something we didn’t do.
‘We’ve got another shot at them on Sunday and I’m looking forward to it.’
Reese also got her 18th double-double of the season in the game with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
The Sky were without star playing Chennedy Carter, who missed the game through a non-Covid related illness.
She was ruled out a few hours before tip-off – with the news emerging a day after she hit out at ESPN for ranking her 24th on its list of the top 25 WNBA players of the season so far.
‘Chennedy is one of the best guards in this league,’ Reese said. ‘We understand that and we know her value to this team.
‘Not being able to have her tonight, obviously we struggled but being able to have her back healthy is the most important thing to us.’
Reese says she is relishing the return game back against Mercury on Sunday in the WNBA
It was also the Sky’s first game without guard Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the Connecticut Sun before the Olympic break.
Thursday’s loss takes Sky to a 10-15 record for the season so far.
Next for Reese and her team, the face Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night in California before the return game against the Mercury in Phoenix.
The Mercury, meanwhile, stand at 14-12 after Thursday’s win.
Top-scorer Copper was one of three Mercury players returning to WNBA action after winning Olympic gold for Team USA, along with Griner and Diana Taurasi, who got 11 points on the night.
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