Caitlin Clark’s return to the court was nothing short of electrifying. After missing five games, the Indiana Fever star had fans and media buzzing-and the record-breaking ratings from her matchup against the New York Liberty prove just how much the world was watching.

Clark had been sidelined for over two weeks due to a quadriceps injury sustained on May 24 in a previous game against New York. While the injury wasn’t considered serious, the Fever’s front office took a cautious approach, allowing their franchise player extra recovery time.

When Clark finally stepped back onto the court for her highly anticipated rematch, Gainbridge Fieldhouse was packed with eager spectators. Those who couldn’t attend in person made sure to tune in from home-and the latest ESPN ratings confirm her immense draw.

Caitlin Clark: A ratings magnet

According to a recent post by ESPN PR on X (formerly Twitter), the June 14 showdown between Indiana and New York became ABC’s third most-watched WNBA game in history, averaging 2.2 million viewers and peaking at 2.8 million.

Clark had already made history earlier in the season. Her WNBA debut-a matchup between the Fever and Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky-became the most-watched game ever broadcast on ABC, drawing an average audience of 2.7 million and peaking at 3.1 million viewers.

However, the league’s highest-rated game still belongs to history: the very first WNBA game ever played-between the Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks-which averaged a staggering 5.04 million viewers.

Clark’s triumphant return

Clark wasted no time reminding the world why she’s one of the biggest stars in the game. She poured in 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out nine assists, leading the Fever to a commanding 102-88 victory.

Not only did Clark avenge Indiana’s 90-88 loss from their previous clash with New York, but she also snapped the Liberty’s undefeated streak, which had stretched to 10-0 before their defeat.

Looking ahead, Clark and the Fever face two seemingly favorable matchups: a home game against the struggling Connecticut Sun (2-8) and an away contest against the expansion team Golden State Valkyries.

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain-the WNBA and television networks win every time Caitlin Clark takes the court.

Angel Reese is one of the biggest young stars in the WNBA, and now her brother Julian has joined her as a professional basketball player.

Entering the 2024 WNBA Draft, it wasn’t a question of if but when the Maryland and LSU standout would be selected after she won the NCAA National Championship in 2023, against none other than one of her biggest rivals — Caitlin Clark — and Iowa.

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5 Reese and Clark are now both WNBA stars Credit: Getty

Ultimately, the forward was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the seventh overall pick.

The ‘Bayou Barbie’ has since gone on to be selected as an All-Star, while she also led the league in rebounds per game in her rookie season with 13.1 per contest.

For Julian, though, the path to chasing his dream of reaching the NBA was far more complicated.

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Spending four years at Maryland, the 6-foot-9 forward finished his college career having averaged 11.1 points at a 55.7 percent shooting clip, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.3 blocks per game.

But, the 21-year-old had to contend with the emotions of going undrafted after 59 picks came and went with his name not being called.

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However, that wasn’t the end for the former Terrapins star, with him being picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers and signed to an undrafted free agent deal for the Summer League.

The announcement of his signing to the 17-time NBA Champions prompted Angel to issue a brief hype message of encouragement to her brother.

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“OPPORTUNITY. COME ONNNN…proud is an understatement. TIME TO WORK,” Angel said on her Instagram story.

Julian now gets a huge chance to prove that he deserves an opportunity to step out onto an NBA court, and will be able to learn from one of the very best to ever do it in LeBron James.

He will also be sharing a training facility with Luka Doncic and 55th overall pick in the 2024 Draft, Bronny James, so there is no shortage of learning opportunities for the young rookie.

5 After four years with Maryland, Julian has been signed by the Lakers Credit: Getty

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5 Julian and Angel are hoping to become the next NBA-WNBA brother-sister duo

Should Julian make an NBA roster by the time the 2025-26 season rolls around, he and Angel will join some other brother-sister duos who have made the NBA and WNBA, such as Candace and Anthony Parker, TJ and Megan McConnell, and Mark and Elizabeth Williams, who is Angel’s Sky teammate.

It is also worth noting that the Reese family has another family member already in the NBA, with their cousin, Jordan Hawkins part of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Angel is already mid-way through her second season in the WNBA.

The 23-year-old has built upon her stellar rookie campaign, and through her first 15 games of the 2025 campaign, she is currently the only player to be averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

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Some have argued that Angel stat pads her rebounding numbers due to her own misses, which prompted her to respond to online trolls by filing a trademark for the coined name ‘mebounds’.

Despite shouldering much of the load off the glass and offensively, Reese has been unable to lead her team to victory, though, with the Sky having only been able to pick up four wins on the season so far, which has led to some tension with the coaching staff, including head coach Tyler Marsh.

5 Angel scored 17 points and had 18 rebounds in the Sky’s loss to the Valkyries on Friday Credit: Getty

5 The WNBA officials drew criticism for the no calls on Reese Credit: Getty

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In Friday’s 83-78 loss to the WNBA’s newest expansion team in the Golden State Valkyries, Reese made yet more league history.

Per Polymarket Hoops, with 35 points, 35 rebounds and eight assists in her last two outings, she is the first player in WNBA history to ever reach those numbers.

With her standout individual play, Reese thus continues to strengthen her bid to make her second consecutive All-Star appearance.

However, it wasn’t all plain-sailing, with the referees of that contest attracting all kinds of criticism on social media for the way in which they officiated Reese in particular, with opposition players seeming to get away with a lot of overly physical play on the star.

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On social media platform X, one fan shared: “After tonight, I need @chicagosky to put a tape together of how Angel is constantly being fouled with NO CALL! These people are grabbing her arms, her jersey too and holding her down and she has no whistle! ENOUGH!”

Another fan called out the officials’ lack of calls in the paint, saying: “Bro it’s no reason Angel Reese should have no free throw attempts!”

Her crown is heavy! Angel Reese offers four-word response to teammate’s PASSIONATE defence after smashing WNBA record

Reese would only go to the line once in the contest, in which she shot 2-for-2.

Next up for the Sky is Kelsey Plum and the Los Angeles Sparks who are looking to avenge their loss in the reverse fixture.

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This will be the third, and final, meeting between the two sides this season, with the series split at 1-1.

Angel Reese has been named the WNBA Edition cover star for NBA 2K26, making her the youngest WNBA player ever to grace the iconic video game.

Angel Reese just added another major win to her growing list of power moves. The 23-year-old basketball star has officially been named the cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition, making her the latest face of one of the most iconic sports video games of all time.

And that’s not even the whole story.

Reese isn’t just posing on the cover; she’s debuting her very first signature sneaker with Reebok right there on it. Yes, the Angel Reese 1 makes its grand entrance!

“Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone. It’s a statement,” Reese said in a press release. “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.”

In just a few years, Angel Reese has transitioned from a viral sensation at LSU to a full-blown professional force. She was named a two-time WNBA All-Star, signed with Reebok in 2023, and now she’s joining the elite crew of WNBA stars who have graced the 2K cover with legends like Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Sabrina Ionescu, and A’ja Wilson.

This year, NBA 2K26 is rolling out multiple editions, with Reese headlining the WNBA Edition, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the Standard Edition, and Carmelo Anthony repping the Superstar Edition. All three of them will also be featured together on the Leave No Doubt Edition.

Let’s not forget, Reese made her 2K debut last year with NBA 2K25, worked closely with the creative team to “make sure it was perfect,” and understands the significance of this platform. “To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole,” Reese expressed. “I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”

Of course we do everything BIG. Why not debut my signature shoe on the cover of NBA2K ?!?!🙂‍↔️ https://t.co/pLZprHT33a — Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 9, 2025

Now, she’s back, front and center, and this time it’s historic.

Image Image Credit Icon Sportswire / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Angel Reese Image Size landscape-medium Image Position center

Key Takeaways

Angel Reese made WNBA history as the second-youngest player to record a triple-double, trailing only Caitlin Clark.

Her 11 points, 11 assists, and 13 rebounds helped lead the Chicago Sky to a 78-66 win over the Connecticut Sun.

Reese’s sophomore season includes multiple milestones, like being the fastest to 500 points and 500 rebounds.

Another game, another record for Angel Reese. During the Chicago Sky’s big win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday (June 15), at 23 years old, she became the second-youngest player in WNBA history to record a triple-double.

The Chicago Sky sealed a 78-66 victory, with Reese putting up 11 points, 11 assists, and 13 rebounds. “We made a lot of great shots tonight, so I knew it was coming,” she said in a postgame press conference.

“I was a passer, and I could’ve been a passer all my career,” the Chicago Barbie told reporters moments earlier. “I came out of high school as the No. 1 wing, and I’m trying to get back to that — trying to get back to being super-versatile. And [coach] Tyler [Marsh] made that emphasis early on in the season.”

Notably, the only other WNBA player to notch a triple-double this season is Caitlin Clark, who posted 20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Sky on May 18. The Indiana Fever point guard also happens to be the youngest player in league history to do so, with two triple-doubles at 22 years of age.

Sunday night’s win marked the Chicago Sky’s third of the 2025 regular season, having already secured two victories against the Dallas Wings. Despite a challenging start for the team, Reese has been putting up numbers on the board left and right. In May, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to hit the 500-point, 500-rebound milestone in just 38 games.

On top of that, according to CBS Sports, Reese was also the fastest player to ever hit 30 career double-doubles. That’s, of course, coming off an all-time rookie record of 26 last season.

It’s a busy week ahead for the Chicago Sky. They’re set to face the Washington Mystics on Tuesday (June 17), followed by a rematch with the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday (June 21).

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Angel Reese Grabs Her Crown On NBA 2K26 WNBA Cover

Here’s some great news to kick off your Wednesday! Superstar athlete Angel Reese is officially the cover star for the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition!

RELATED: 7-Eleven Employee Left Brain-Dead After Being Attacked by Store Manager in Los Angeles

The reveal was made early Wednesday morning and social media has been lit ever since. What makes this iconic moment even more legendary is that Reese is rockin’ her first-ever signature shoe — The Angel Reese 1 — right on the cover. Yup, Reebok knew what they were doing.

“Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone — it’s a statement,” Reese said in a press release. “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.”

She added, “To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole. I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”

Why Angel Reese Keeps Making Herstory At Just 22 Years Old

To be clear — Angel Reese is that girl. At just 23, she’s already stamped her name in sports culture, fashion, and business. After becoming a national champion at LSU and helping take women’s college basketball to mainstream levels never seen before, her dominance and charisma have only grown louder.

They call her the “Bayou Barbie,” but she’s been proving she’s more than just a nickname. Whether it’s selling out arenas, dropping brand deals, or pulling up courtside in designer fits, Angel is building a global brand while staying unapologetically her.

In October 2023, Reese signed a major sneaker deal with Reebok — the same brand that once had legends like Allen Iverson. Now, she’s stepping into her own lane with her own shoe. And to have that debut happen right on the cover of NBA 2K26 WNBA? That’s power. That’s influence. That’s legacy.

Angel Reese Joins Elite List of WNBA Cover Legends

This moment puts Angel Reese in a hall of greatness. She now joins WNBA legends like Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, and Sue Bird, all of whom have graced the cover of NBA 2K before her. But what separates Reese is that she’s doing it this early in her pro career — and with a cultural impact that can’t be taught.

NBA 2K has steadily increased its support for women’s basketball, and this latest cover is more than symbolic — it’s intentional. They didn’t just choose talent, they chose someone who moves culture.

Whether she’s clapping back on social media, speaking out for Black women in sports, or mentoring young athletes, Angel Reese is owning her role as both an athlete and an icon.