No one who knows ball will understate the importance of rebounding. Tennessee legend Pat Summit said it best, “It has always been offense sells tickets, defense wins games, rebounding wins championships.” So what happens when two of the best rebounders in the league go against each other? Moreover, what happens when it’s personal? Angel Reese and Alyssa Thomas have had their battles, the flagrants, the ejections, and they’re back at it for some more! So, even though Chicago is no longer in playoff contention, this game is gonna be pretty fun to watch. Both players are prolific rebounders and all-around threats, but who’s gonna come out on top? Let’s find out!

Who’s a better rebounder between Angel Reese and Alyssa Thomas?

Before we delve into the comparisons, we need to establish a clear understanding of how both players operate. First things first, they’re both amazing on both ends of the floor. AR and AT are two of the best rebounders in the entire league, standing at number 1 and number 3 for RPG, respectively, but their skillsets don’t end there.

Thomas, over an eleven-year career in the WNBA, has rounded out her game to more than her size. She’s the triple-double queen of the WNBA and is averaging 15.9 points, 9 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. The six-foot-two forward and six-time All-Star is an absolute magician in the post. Her footwork, touch around the rim, and the ability to find the best pass possible have terrorized teams around the league for over a decade now.

However, Angel Reese is the perfect example of just how important hustling and hard work actually are. The six-foot-two center is often not the tallest person on the court, but her effort makes sure that she gets almost every rebound. Reese is leading the Chicago Sky in the three major statistical categories, putting up 14.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Although people often criticize her for grabbing boards off her own missed layups, she had a very simple point to bring out. “If it was so easy, everybody would be doing it. We good!” Reese tweeted, shutting up the critics once and for all.

What makes Reese’s rookie season stand out even more is the consistency of her rebounding. She recorded a WNBA rookie-record 20 consecutive double-doubles earlier this year, drawing comparisons to legends like Tamika Catchings. Fans on Reddit’s r/wnba have even nicknamed her “Board Queen” for the way she controls the paint.

And as for who’s a better rebounder? Well, that honor has to go to Angel Reese. Her resume is way too buffed up to be ignored. AR became the first player to put up more than 15 rebounds for 4 games straight this season. Not to mention, she snagged the WNBA’s single-season rebounding record at 418 boards in just her rookie year! There’s no doubting that the Chicago Sky star is the best in the business when it comes to crashing the glass.

Chicago Sky versus Phoenix Mercury: A battle of the boards?

But let’s be real, wins matter a lot more than records in the grand scheme of things. Chicago and Phoenix are on opposite sides of the spectrum–Angel Reese and her gang are already out of playoff contention, while the Mercury will be looking to solidify the best seed they possibly can over the next couple of weeks. Believe it or not, the Chicago Sky might have a lot more riding on this game than the Phoenix Mercury!

On the rebound side of things, both teams are going to give it their all! Chicago’s Twin Towers, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, combine for more than 20 rebounds a game, while Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally put up a similar 15 for the Phoenix Mercury. There aren’t any size mismatches between either front court, but the Sky definitely do have an edge over their competitors. How? Well, the team generates more second chances!

While Phoenix’s overall rebounding averages look good, their offensive boards pale in comparison to Chicago. Sabally and Thomas combined for 3.3 offensive rebounds per game, which is less than half of the Sky’s 6.8 ORPG. More offensive boards mean second chances and putbacks which, if the Sky can capitalize on, will put them ahead of the contenders.

Another wrinkle? Phoenix’s guards, particularly Diana Taurasi and Kahleah Copper, will be key in crashing down to help on long rebounds. Analysts on ESPN have noted that if the Mercury’s backcourt doesn’t support the front line, Reese and Cardoso will feast on second-chance points. This could shift the game’s tempo and turn it into a rebounding clinic.

It will be interesting to see how this battle unfolds. Both Alyssa Thomas and Angel Reese are excellent rebounders, and they can do just about everything on the basketball court. So, considering their history, how will they fare when pitted against each other this year? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates!