After the latest performance against the Connecticut Sun, Angel Reese is now within a whisker of tying a record held by NBA legend and six-time All-Star Blake Griffin.

Everybody at this point expects Angel Reese to dominate the WNBA’s rebound stats. But only a few could have seen her competing with the NBA stars as well. At least this soon. Reese is now one of only four players in the WNBA and NBA combined with 50+ double-doubles in their first 75 games, as per ESPN.

After logging 17 rebounds against the Sun, Reese now has 56 double-doubles in her first 74 games. She now has a chance to match Griffin’s record of 57 in the first 75 games.

Atlanta faces Reese’s former team, the Chicago Sky, on June 10. So her pursuit of this record can be against the team that drafted her, where she was equally good. The number 7 pick earned two All-Star selections in Sky’s colors. She also set the single-season rebounding record as a rookie.

Former LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin holds the record for most double-doubles in his first 75 games (57), set during his 2009-10 rookie season. He went on a sensational run in his rookie year as well. Reese now has a chance to tie his record.

And this is what makes it more impressive. She has now featured among the four to reach these figures in that particular span of games. And she is now the 2nd youngest to reach 51 double-doubles in WNBA history. The accolades keep adding up for her.

Reese is also the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 300 and 900 career rebounds. During her rookie season, she logged 26 double-doubles, which is the second-highest mark by a rookie in league history.

Angel Reese is always going to get the ball while she is on the court. And she has made the most of it. She is now averaging 11.7 REB this season. Atlanta deploys Reese alongside bench units to anchor their rebounding and spacing. This gives their offensive line some leeway as well.

Angel Reese can lead Atlanta to the next level

Angel Reese is already a two-time rebounding champion. When the Dream traded for her, they added the depth they needed to make a deep playoff run.

Head coach Karl Smesko’s shooting-heavy system relies on Reese’s rebounding to free perimeter players like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Atlanta knows that they have the required coverage on the glass. The offense can get ahead freely. They know that Reese can collect the misses and give them a second shot, maybe even a third.

This Atlanta team uses Reese’s strengths to their advantage. She can provide solid coverage in the paint. She also has the rare ability to guard any position on the floor.

While she has put up some solid numbers, there are some gaps as well. Reese’s shooting limitations have constrained her offensive game. She often struggles when shooting from beyond five feet. Reese has made 40 of 82 shots from inside five feet. She is 2-of-8 from 5–9 feet. Her shooting beyond this range is almost negligible, including just 9.1% from three.

Atlanta must address Reese’s offensive limitations before making a deep playoff run.