The WNBA returned in a barrage of headlines, history and high class entertainment.
After Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese headlined Indiana Fever’s 93-58 rout of the Chicago Sky, some WNBA history that was made on the night went under the radar.
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During her team’s loss, Reese became the quickest player in WNBA history to reach at least 450 points and 450 rebounds, doing so in 35 games.
The record previously belonged to Tina Charles, who reached the same feat in 40 games back in 2011.
Reese now has 474 points and 463 rebounds to her name.
The 23-year-old seemed delighted with the achievement, taking to social media to repost the news with the praying emoji on Monday.
And it’s no surprise Reese has amassed such a high quantity of points and rebounds, as the Sky forward is the best in the league at recording double-doubles.
Last season, she notched 15 consecutive double-doubles during her rookie season last year.
That itself was a WNBA record, with Candace Parker previously having 12 in a row.
On Saturday’s season opener, Reese impressed again, logging 12 points and 17 rebounds.
However, the game was overshadowed by Clark’s flagrant foul on Reese, as the Fever guard slapped the Chicago star’s hand when going for a layup.
While Clark has been vocal in saying that it was just a basketball play, Reese has kept relatively quiet since Saturday.
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“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark said.
“It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion. It’s a take foul to put them at the free throw line.
“I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”
After the game, it was announced that the WNBA was investigating allegations of racism and hateful fan comments towards Reese.
Something Clark and the Indiana Fever have backed.
“There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society,” Clark added.
“Certainly, we want every person who comes into our arena — whether player or fan — to have a great experience. I appreciate the league doing that [investigation]. I appreciate that the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that.”
DeWanna Bonner, who is in her 16th season in the WNBA, said the franchise discussed the situation and that everyone is on the same page.
“We keep uplifting each other and speaking out on these things when that is needed,” Bonner said.
“That’s not what we as players stand for, not what the Indiana Fever organization stands for. It’s zero tolerance.”
Reese will return to WNBA action on Thursday when she takes on defending champions the New York Liberty.
Clark for her part is back on the hardwood on Tuesday night against the Atalanta Dream – and was delighted her performance attracted high praise.
The first overall pick from the 2024 WNBA Draft has 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists to go with two steals and four blocks in the win over Sky.
Before the game LeBron James had taken to social media, posting a picture of himself alongside Clark, and saying: “Good luck and DO YOU per usual this season!!! @caitlinclark” .
Clark was asked about it after Monday’s shootaround
“That’s one of my idols, LeBron is the GOAT to me,” she said.
“He really does follow the WNBA. He watches and he loves and appreciates basketball and he loves and appreciates the way the Fever and my teammates play. I didn’t see it before the game, but a lot of people sent it to me.”
