Angel Reese’s double-double streak continues as Liberty defeat Sky, 91-76

NEW YORK — Last time the Chicago Sky entered Barclays Center, it sounded like a home game for Teresa Weatherspoon’s team. The former Liberty great and young superstar Angel Reese were applauded all night en route to the May nine-point win, getting the kind of love felt at Wintrust Arena.

Those same fans returned Thursday night but were eventually drowned out by the Liberty faithful in the home team’s 91-76 win over the Sky. The Sky fans, however, witnessed Angel Reese’s WNBA record of consecutive double-doubles continue to 15 games.

Reese (10 points, 10 rebounds) dealt with fellow All-Star Jonquel Jones, who recorded her own double-double. Jones finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks after combining for just 13 points in the prior two matchups against the Sky.

More touches for Jones led to better results for the Liberty. She found her spots throughout the night as guards Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot kept the center involved all night. Instead of settling for 3s, Jones got open in pick-and-roll actions. And instead of looking away from Jones when initially crowded, her teammates moved the ball and fired the high-low entry passes that have been efficient all season.

The looks down low opened the floor the Liberty’s sharpshooter: Sabrina Ionescu. After going 1 of 8 for two points by halftime, Ionescu finished with a team-high 21 points. She knocked down four treys in the win, including a deep 31-footer with 3:41 remaining in regulation to put her team up nine. Both teams emptied their benches shortly after, signaling the Liberty’s 19th win of the season.

Breanna Stewart finished with 19 points, four boards and six assists. Leonie Fiebich totaled 13 points, four boards and four assists in her start while Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed her second straight game due to a right knee injury. Kayla Thornton scored 16 points in 28 minutes off the bench.

Chicago’s Chennedy Carter scored a game-high 22 points, enjoying the comfortability at the point of attack with stout defender Laney-Hamilton missing.