Two of last season’s biggest stars in college basketball faced off Thursday night as the Chicago Sky beat the Los Angeles Sparks 83-73. While the game itself was exciting, the matchup between Angel Reese and Cameron Brink was somewhat disappointing as the two rookies struggled. Reese finished with six points while Brink had seven.
While neither rookie had the most impressive showing, Reese had back-to-back baskets in the final minutes that helped her team secure the win. Besides that stretch, she wasn’t much of a factor throughout the game. After the game, fans lamented a disappointing first matchup between the two promising rookies:
Angel Reese ?? What’s happening sister ? #WNBA pic.twitter.com/Do0UHtI7IY
— Not you blocked me (@Notyoublockedm1) May 31, 2024
Angel Reese and Cameron Brink are having stinkers smh. This was supposed to be a great matchup.
— Mayowa A. Balogun (@Sweeegu) May 31, 2024
Angel Reese better than Cameron Brink?? Many are saying this.
— Dylan (@notdylm) May 31, 2024
While Reese and Brink didn’t have the most memorable games, there are still two more games between their respective teams this season and plenty of time for them to put on a show for fans. Reese and Brink still developing as players, and Thursday’s game showed they still have some work to do, but that’s expected with any rookie. So far this season, Reese is averaging 12 points and 8.6 rebounds while Brink is averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Marina Mabrey scored 20 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers, Elizabeth Williams had 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks and the Chicago Sky beat the Los Angeles Sparks 83-73 on Thursday night for their first home win of the season.
Mabrey gave Chicago a 21-point lead with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter. Los Angeles battled back, closing on a 20-8 run to get within 67-58 entering the fourth. The Sky committed 10 fouls in the third quarter, turned it over six times and allowed 27 points.
Los Angeles was within 78-69 with 2:16 left after Rickea Jackson completed a three-point play, but rookie Angel Reese made a shot in the lane on back-to-back possessions to extend Chicago’s lead to 82-69. Los Angeles was slowed by 18 turnovers.
Dana Evans had four of the Sky’s 13 steals and added 15 points. Chennedy Carter scored 14 points for Chicago (3-3). Reese picked up her fifth foul with 8:22 left in the fourth and finished with six points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.
Dearica Hamby had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Kia Nurse added 17 points for Los Angeles (2-5). Jackson finished with 10 points and rookie Cameron Brink had seven points and six rebounds in 22 minutes. Evans scored 11 points in the first half and Carter added 10 to help Chicago build a 49-31 lead. The Sky shot 51% from the field in the first half and led by as many as 20 points.
