Angel Reese shoots down grabbing 'own rebounds' narrative by highlighting her defensive 'motor': "Not the tallest on the court"

Despite losing their sixth consecutive game, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese broke the WNBA single-season rebounding record (418) against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. Her path to this moment involved criticism from fans that she took advantage of her missed shots to get more rebounds, record double-doubles and buff her stats.

On Sunday, Reese responded to the notion that she only grabs her own rebounds.

"Coming into the league, I just knew my motor," Reese said. "Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something that I know I can always do. I knew it was going to translate right away.

"That's something that a lot of people don't wanna do. A lot of people think it's because I get my own rebounds but statistically, it's not. A lot of people think it's because I'm the tallest on the court when I'm not the tallest on the court.

She added:

"Just being able to go down there and being able to bang and do things that a lot of people don't want to do. Defense and rebounding wins championships. And I've won championships at every level by just doing that.

"So, coming into the league, before I sharpen up on my offense, just being able to come here and have that on my shoulders, it's something I could always do. It's something that I always knew would translate."

Setting the rebounding mark is certainly a great moment for Angel Reese, who wasn't aware of the record. Then again, she's made it clear before that if her team doesn't win, it's hard to be happy about individual accolades.

Angel Reese's Chicago Sky have struggled to win games since Olympic break

Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky returned to the court trying to pick up where they left off before the All-Star break, but everything has gone south for them. Reese has spent more time on the court (35.0 minutes per game against 31.7), tried to be more aggressive (13.3 field goal attempts against 11.9) and become a stronger force in the paint (16.5 rebounds per game against 11.9).

However, none of that has helped the Sky avoid big losses. They have won only one of their last eight games, including six consecutive defeats. Chicago could lose that eighth spot in the WNBA standings, as the Atlanta Dream are keen to take them down and snatch that potential playoff berth away.