Angel Reese's second WNBA season has seen her take her game to a new level -- though her team, the Chicago Sky, continue to struggle for consistency.
Reese on Tuesday scored 22 points and hauled in 10 rebounds while providing three assists against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. But after securing a rousing win over the Lynx on Saturday, the Sky were outscored by 15 points in the second half of a 91-78 defeat at Wintrust Arena.
Yet the Sky's 7-14 record breeds optimism over a bright future in Chicago, for a franchise that won a WNBA title only four years ago. For one, due to the Sky's lack of reliable backcourt options, Reese is adapting to a new role as a "point forward" -- a role similar to the one that perennial All-Star Alyssa Thomas has played for the Connecticut Sun and the Phoenix Mercury.
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Reese though has been candid about the challenges inherent in assuming the responsibility of directing Chicago's offense. For one, her turnovers have risen; in her past three games, Reese has turned the ball over 16 times. She has accrued at least five turnovers in eight of 21 games this season.
"This is a new role for me, (but) that’s no excuse," Reese said Tuesday night. "I just have to watch film and be better, I just gotta get the ball to where it needs to get to faster. I know we’re making the right read. We’ll continue to get better."
Fatigue too is becoming a factor for Reese. After playing 36:40 on Tuesday, Reese crossed the 34-minute mark for the sixth time in seven games. Not even the All-Star break will offer much respite for Reese, who has joined Team Collier to play in Saturday's All-Star Game in Indianapolis.
But Reese knows that this is the life of a franchise player, and she will hope to enter the short break on a high note with a win over the Dream in Atlanta on Wednesday.
"Suck it up and keep hooping," Reese said of the minutes accrual. "I'm young, just continue to push through. There's no excuse for me, I average 35, 36 minutes a game and I guard the best player, usually. I gotta get up and not be scared. I just try and come in everyday and dominate my matchup because I know this team needs me."
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