Angel Reese rewrites WNBA history with dual rebounding records
The Atlanta Dream star broke a 23-year single-game benchmark and surpassed the league’s season total in a single performance, cementing her status as the league’s premier rebounder.
Angel Reese has formally entered a category of her own in the Women’s National Basketball Association, breaking two major rebounding records in the same night. In a 78-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena, the Atlanta Dream forward collected a league-record 26 rebounds. This performance surpassed the previous single-game mark of 24, set by Chamique Holdsclaw with the Washington Mystics in 2003.
The statistical milestone extended beyond the single game. Reese also broke the WNBA single-season rebounding record, overtaking the previous benchmark held by Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson. By the final whistle, Reese had accumulated 458 total rebounds for the season, a figure that the league officially acknowledged as a historic achievement for the franchise and the player.
The record-setting performance was characterised by activity around the basket rather than scoring volume. Reese finished the match with 11 points, three assists and three steals. Her rebounding total comprised eight offensive boards and 18 defensive rebounds, a split that allowed her to repeatedly end Los Angeles possessions or extend Atlanta’s. It marked her 27th double-double of the season, underscoring her consistency as the league’s most relentless board winner.
For the Atlanta Dream, the result concluded an undefeated four-game West Coast road trip. The victory improved the franchise’s record to 25-13, strengthening its position in the race for home-court advantage. Teammates Allisha Gray led the Dream with 20 points, while Rhyne Howard contributed 18 and Naz Hillmon added 12. In contrast, the Los Angeles Sparks dropped to 13-25, having already been eliminated from postseason contention prior to the game.
The achievement caps a remarkable individual stretch for Reese, who has been acquired by Atlanta from the Chicago Sky during the offseason. The move was viewed as a strategic gamble by the Dream to elevate an already talented roster. Through 37 games, Reese is averaging 16.1 points and 12.4 rebounds, providing a new star to place alongside Gray and Howard.
The context of the record-breaking night is further highlighted by Reese’s recent form. She scored a career-high 31 points against the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. Two days earlier, she recorded 20 points on perfect 9-of-9 shooting, along with 10 rebounds and eight assists, in a 124-88 rout of the Las Vegas Aces. While her scoring efficiency was lower against the Sparks, her rebounding dominance provided the decisive edge for Atlanta.
