Angel Reese Sends Message on Alyssa Thomas Before Sky-Mercury

"Stopping her scoring, you can do that," Reese said of Thomas on Friday, "but being able to slow her down for her assists (is important)."

Thomas had 10 points and a season-high 15 assists the first time the Mercury faced the Sky this year. She also recorded seven rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks in Phoenix's 94-89 comeback victory.

"She gets the ball out to players and does a great job," Reese praised. "Obviously I look at that and try to do some of those things too in my game.”

Reese's point forward skills and two-way impact may not be on Thomas' level yet — few players ever will be — but she has shown significant growth of late. 

It has helped ease the playmaking burden ever since Chicago lost starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending knee injury during a loss to the Indiana Fever.

Reese, 23, recorded her first career triple-double in a win against Connecticut last Sunday. She is the only player in the WNBA currently averaging a double-double, with 11.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Her 3.6 assists per game are nearly double her rookie year average of 1.9.