Angel Reese Sends Message on Alyssa Thomas Before Sky-Mercury originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky host the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, Reese will have one of the toughest assignments in the WNBA — slowing down Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.
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Reese not only accepts the challenge, but sees it as a chance to steal a thing or two from the six-time All-WNBA selection who gave her a “welcome to the league” moment in May 2024.
Few players in the W affect the game in as many ways as Thomas, who comes into Saturday averaging 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.0 assists per game.
During her 11 seasons with the Connecticut Sun, Thomas led the league in rebounding once (2023), steals once (2020) and finished as a runner-up for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) shields the ball from Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the first half at Footprint Center.Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
“Stopping her scoring, you can do that,” Reese said of Thomas on Friday, “but being able to slow her down for her assists (is important).”
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Thomas had 10 points and a season-high 15 assists the first time the Mercury faced the Sky this year. She also recorded seven rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks in Phoenix’s 94-89 comeback victory.
“She gets the ball out to players and does a great job,” Reese praised. “Obviously I look at that and try to do some of those things too in my game.”
Reese’s point forward skills and two-way impact may not be on Thomas’ level yet — few players ever will be — but she has shown significant growth of late.
It has helped ease the playmaking burden ever since Chicago lost starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending knee injury during a loss to the Indiana Fever.
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Reese, 23, recorded her first career triple-double in a win against Connecticut last Sunday. She is the only player in the WNBA currently averaging a double-double, with 11.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Her 3.6 assists per game are nearly double her rookie year average of 1.9.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
