PHOENIX — Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese scored 19 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds in Sunday’s 86-68 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, becoming the fastest in WNBA history to record 20 double-doubles.
The No. 7 draft pick has grabbed double-digit rebounds in 20 consecutive games and set the double-double record after just 27 games. Reese is now two double-doubles shy of matching the Sky single-season record (set by Sylvia Fowles in 2011) and the WNBA rookie record (set by Tina Charles in 2010).
The Sky (11-16) fell behind quickly in Sunday’s game, thanks in part to Diana Taurasi scoring 12 of her 23 points in Phoenix’s highest-scoring first quarter of the season; the frame ended with a 32-19 advantage for the Mercury.
Sophie Cunningham added 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds — her first double-double in the WNBA — while Brittney Griner had 18 points. Monique Billings, who signed a seven-day contract with Phoenix (15-13) earlier in the day, made 5 of 7 from the field and finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals in 23 minutes.
Taurasi, on the fast break, 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…
