Angel Reese, Sheryl Swoopes share embrace following Reese's breakout performance vs. Fever

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese had an impressive, record-breaking performance on Sunday against the Indiana Fever. Posting a career-high 25 points along with 16 rebounds to help Chicago rally and overcome a 15-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Fever 88-87.

The win marked the sixth of the season for the Sky and their first over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever following two high-intensity games earlier this month. A matchup that WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes made sure she was in attendance for at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Sunday.

Reese and Swoopes shared a heartfelt moment after the game that represented the past and future of the WNBA, which can be seen below.

Sheryl Swoopes embraces Angel Reese after her career-high performance and epic win against the Fever 🙌#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/fiZfrnDTKR

— WNBA (@WNBA) June 23, 2024

Swoopes played her final WNBA game in 2011, retiring as one of the most decorated players in league history with four WNBA titles, three WNBA Finals MVP Awards, three Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and two scoring and steals titles apiece in her 12-year professional career.

13 years later Reese has now started her professional journey after being selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the latest WNBA Draft. Extending her double-double streak to eight straight games on Sunday, which ranks first amongst all rookies and fourth amongst all players in WNBA history. Also becoming the first rookie to score 25+ points and 15+ rebounds since A’ja Wilson in 2018.

Reese has averaged 12.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game so far 14 games into her rookie season with Chicago. Ranking second in the league in rebounding only trailing Wilson and tied for Wilson with 1.9 steals per game to rank sixth in the WNBA. As Reese strives to become the next big name in the league among greats like Swoopes and Wilson.

After the game, Swoopes also made an appearance in the Sky locker room. Sharing some words of wisdom with the team after being introduced by head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. With Swoopes and Weatherspoon both joining the WNBA in the inaugural 1997 season and competing against one another for multiple WNBA Finals.

“Trust me when I tell you that staff that she’s put together with Ty [Tamera Young] and Crystal [Robinson],” Swoopes said. “I’m talking about former players that are winners, that have been here, that are champions, that know what it takes. Just stay the course.”

Chicago’s win on Sunday was just their sixth of the season but the Sky’s second in a row. As they’ll look to stay the course and stay on the winning side of things in their next matchup against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET.