Angel Reese impresses with strong second half in WNBA debut

Angel Reese’s WNBA debut was marked by ups and downs as she scored 12 points on 5 of 13 shooting in the Chicago Sky’s 87-79 season-opening loss to the Chicago Wings. Dallas Wednesday evening.

The “Chi Barbie” scored seven points in the fourth quarter alone after a slow start to his first professional game on the league’s second night of the 2024 campaign.

It was the second highly anticipated debut for a member of the 2024 WNBA draft class in as many nights following Caitlin Clark’s first game with the Fever on Tuesday.

Reese, after nearly hitting a double-double, said she wasn’t entirely satisfied with her effort where she pulled down eight rebounds and turned the ball over twice.

“It wasn’t even nervous,” Reese said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. ”I had just disappeared. I still feel like I didn’t play my best game because I left six at the free throw line.

Reese’s first WNBA point came on a free throw with 1:27 left in the second quarter, and her first basket came 15 seconds into the third quarter following a layup.

The LSU product had an impressive stretch early in the fourth quarter when she scored on a driving layup, then took the pocket of an opposing Wings defensive end moments later to take it in the other direction for an easy layup.

Reese received a loud ovation Wednesday night when his name was called during the pregame player introductions in Arlington, Texas, at the College Park Center, and his opponents acknowledged his presence on the court — and off — Wednesday .

“She (Angel Reese) is a great player on and off the field,” Arika Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings said after the game. “She’s doing what she has to do for women, for the ‘W.’ It’s obviously his first match. She has a long career, but this is a good start for her.

Rapper Latto was present Wednesday to support Reese, who was sitting on the field for the game.

Latto previously featured Reese in the music video for “Put It On Da Floor Again,” which featured Cardi B.