LAST 2.5min: Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury WNBA | Angel Reese, Brittney Griner, Kamilla Cardoso.

Angel Reese becomes fastest to 20 double-doubles in WNBA history despite the Chicago Sky’s loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday

Angel Reese shoots during a WNBA All-Star Game team practice on July 19, 2024 in Phoenix. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi scored 12 of her 23 points in Phoenix’s highest-scoring first quarter of the season, Sophie Cunningham added 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds — her first double-double in the WNBA — and the Mercury led for nearly 38 minutes Sunday night in their 86-68 win over the Chicago Sky.

Brittney Griner added 18 points. Monique Billings, who signed a seven-day contract with the Mercury (15-13) earlier in the day, made 5 of 7 from the field and finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes.

Taurasi, on the fastbreak, hit a pull-up 3-pointer from behind the hash mark to make it 7-4 and the Mercury led the rest of the way. The six-time Olympic gold medalist hit three free throws to spark an 11-3 run that pushed the margin to 22-11 when Griner made a short jumper 6 minutes into the game. Taurasi hit a jumper to close the first quarter and make it 32-19.

Angel Reese scored 19 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds for the Sky (11-16). The No. 7 draft pick has grabbed double-digit rebounds in 20 consecutive games. After just 27 games, she is the fastest in league history to record 20 double-doubles, including each of the last four games. She also had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the WNBA All-Star Game.

Chennedy Carter added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Sky. Kamilla Cardoso and Isabelle Harrison scored 12 points apiece.

The Sky did not make a single 3-pointer tonight, setting a WNBA record for the worst single-game 3-point shooting efficiency.

Finished 0-for-14 from behind the arc.

The Mercury previously set the record in May after going 1-for-27 in a loss to Connecticut.

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) August 19, 2024

The Sky shot 35.9% (28 of 78) from the field, went 0 for 14 from 3-point range and made just 12 of 21 from the free-throw line.

The Mercury won the first two games of the season series with the Sky — one game remains next month. Kahleah Copper scored 29 points as the Mercury beat Chicago 85-65 on Thursday, when the regular season resumed after a monthlong pause for the Paris Olympics. The Mercury lost to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Friday, while the Sky bounced back with a 90-86 win Saturday over the Los Angeles Sparks.
Originally Published: August 18, 2024 at 11:18 p.m.