Angel Reese Sets WNBA Records Amid Controversy

Angel Reese achieved a remarkable feat on Monday night against the Los Angeles Sparks, capturing 26 rebounds in Atlanta’s 78-71 victory. This achievement broke the previous WNBA single-game record of 24 rebounds, which Chamique Holdsclaw had held since 2003. Additionally, Reese surpassed A’ja Wilson for the most rebounds in a WNBA season with her 20th rebound of the night.

While grabbing 26 rebounds is undoubtedly impressive, Reese and her Atlanta Dream teammates sparked controversy in the game’s final moments. With 20 seconds remaining, Atlanta led 76-69, and Reese had nine points. The Dream’s Jordin Canada secured a rebound after the Sparks missed two shots, but Reese opted not to defend during this possession. Instead, she stayed in the frontcourt, waiting for Atlanta to regain possession.

When Canada regained possession, she passed the ball to a wide-open Reese with 15 seconds left. Reese, leading by seven points and without opposition, could have run out the clock and secured the victory. Instead, she chose to score an uncontested layup, bringing her total to 11 points for the night and marking her 27th double-double of the season.

Observers noted that Reese’s decision appeared to prioritize her statistics over the team’s needs. Despite ample scoring opportunities earlier in the game, Reese missed several shots. She ended the game shooting 4-for-14 and had five of her shots blocked by Cameron Brink, the Sparks’ only healthy rim protector. Reese’s layup in the final seconds did not affect her rebounding records but ensured her double-double streak continued.

This incident is not the first time Reese’s double-double achievements were questioned. Back in 2024, while playing for the Chicago Sky, Reese needed an extra point to maintain her double-double streak in a game against Atlanta. With her teammates’ assistance, she managed to score the necessary points at the game’s conclusion. This pattern of prioritizing individual statistics over traditional game strategy raises questions about whether such records should come with an asterisk.

After Monday’s game, Reese made headlines again with her postgame remarks. When a reporter congratulated her mistakenly referencing an ‘NBA record,’ Reese responded, “No, I don’t cuz I be setting NBA records, too.” This response was criticized as arrogant, given the previous controversy surrounding her gameplay choices.

Reese undeniably set two WNBA records on Monday. Nevertheless, her final basket, occurring in a won game, prompted accusations of stat padding, overshadowing her genuine accomplishments.