Angel Reese’s WNBA debut ended in defeat as she scored 12 points for the Chicago Sky in a 87-79 loss to the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night.
Playing in her first ever professional women’s basketball game in Texas, Reese, this year’s No. 7 overall draft pick, missed each of her three attempts from the field in the first half before an 11-point effort after the break.
She registered the first points of her career when she split a pair of free throws with 1:27 remaining in the second quarter.
The 22-year-old was a whisker away from earning a double-double but was two rebounds short (8).
Her performance on Wednesday comes 24 hours after Caitlin Clark put up 20 points in her debut for the Indiana Fever, which also ended in a double-digit loss.
Sky forward Angel Reese almost had a double-double in her first pro game for the Chicago Sky
She scored her first points of her career when she split a pair of free throws late in the first half
Angel Reese in her rookie debut 🔥
12 pts
8 reb1 assist
1 steal— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 16, 2024
But in contrast to Clark and Co., the Sky led by as many as 10 points in the first half, until a plus-14 edge in points in the paint allowed Dallas to rally back.
Both teams were missing post presences. Wings forward Satou Sabally is out with a shoulder injury the team expects will keep her sidelined until the Olympic break. Sky forward Kamilla Cardoso, drafted third overall last month, suffered a shoulder injury in preseason and is out for 4-to-6 weeks.
Arike Ogunbowale scored a game-high 25 points and Teaira McCowan and Natasha Howard both notched double-doubles for Dallas.
Marina Mabrey scored 19 points to lead five Sky players in double figures.
The Wings will host the Sky again on Saturday night.
