Angel Reese Salutes Marina Mabrey After Historic 53-Point Explosion for Toronto Tempo

Marina Mabrey delivered one of the greatest scoring performances in WNBA history on Thursday night, and the achievement quickly drew praise from across the basketball world. Among those celebrating the remarkable display was Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese, who shared her excitement on social media after Mabrey’s unforgettable performance.

The two players briefly shared the court as teammates with the Chicago Sky during the 2024 season before Mabrey was traded to the Connecticut Sun. Although their time together was relatively short, Reese’s public reaction demonstrated that the connection between the two has remained strong even as their careers have taken different paths.

Mabrey’s spectacular offensive performance helped lead the Toronto Tempo to a convincing victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, while simultaneously earning her a place in the WNBA record books. Her scoring barrage became one of the defining individual performances of the season and immediately generated widespread attention from players, fans, and analysts alike.

For Reese, the performance deserved recognition beyond simple congratulations. Her playful social media response reflected both admiration for Mabrey’s accomplishment and the camaraderie that continues to exist among former teammates competing across the league.

1. Reese Celebrates Former Teammate’s Milestone

Following the game, Reese reacted with humor and appreciation after witnessing Mabrey’s incredible scoring display. Referencing a previous lighthearted conversation between the two, Reese joked that Mabrey had certainly earned a special reward after her historic night. In her social media post, Reese wrote that Mabrey now deserved a ride in the “RR,” a playful reference that quickly attracted attention from fans. While brief, the message underscored the mutual respect the two players continue to share despite now playing for different franchises. Their relationship dates back to their season together in Chicago, where Reese began establishing herself as one of the league’s brightest young stars while Mabrey served as one of the team’s experienced veterans. Although Chicago later traded Mabrey, the friendship clearly endured. Moments like these continue to highlight the close-knit nature of the WNBA, where many players maintain friendships regardless of team affiliations. Reese’s public support added another memorable layer to an already historic evening for Mabrey.

2. Mabrey Delivers Performance for the Record Books

Mabrey was nearly unstoppable throughout Toronto’s victory over Los Angeles. Playing just 32 minutes, she finished with 53 points, six rebounds, and two assists while displaying remarkable efficiency from virtually every area of the floor. She connected on 17 of her 28 field-goal attempts, including nine three-pointers on 18 attempts, while also making 10 of her 12 free throws. Her combination of perimeter shooting, aggressive drives, and confidence overwhelmed the Sparks’ defense from start to finish. The outing became one of the highest-scoring games in WNBA history and further established Mabrey as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive guards. It also carried added significance because it came against the Los Angeles Sparks, the organization that originally selected her in the 2019 WNBA Draft. According to league statistics, Mabrey also became the first player in WNBA history to score at least 40 points against the franchise that drafted her. That milestone transformed an already extraordinary performance into an even more historic achievement.

3. Dream Continue Strong Season Behind Reese’s Leadership

While Reese took time to celebrate her former teammate, she has plenty of reasons to feel confident about her own season as well. The Atlanta Dream have emerged as one of the WNBA’s top teams, with Reese playing a central role in the club’s success on both ends of the floor. Now in her third professional season, Reese continues to develop into one of the league’s premier forwards. Through 17 appearances, she has averaged 14.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, providing Atlanta with consistent production as both a scorer and rebounder. Those contributions have helped the Dream compile a 12-5 record, placing them atop the Eastern Conference standings ahead of several championship contenders, including the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever. Atlanta has combined balanced offense with strong defense to establish itself as one of the league’s early success stories. The Dream will now shift their attention to their upcoming road matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Meanwhile, Reese’s enthusiastic reaction to Mabrey’s historic night served as another reminder that while fierce competition defines the WNBA, genuine respect and lasting friendships continue to thrive throughout the league.