SEATTLE — As far as iconic duos go, it’s hard to beat Barbie and Ken.
Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter — affectionately referred to as Barbie and “Chenn” — are making a run at it.
In the Sky‘s 88-84 win over the Storm on Friday night — which snapped the Storm’s eight-game home winning streak — Reese and Carter had career nights, combining for 60 points.
Reese scored a career-high 27 points with 10 rebounds for her 12th consecutive double-double. Carter shot a career-high 62% from the field, finishing with a season-high 33 points.
Carter was two points shy of matching her career high of 35 points in 2020 against the Storm.
Reese is now tied with Candace Parker for the most consecutive double-doubles in WNBA history.
“It’s easy playing when everybody’s trying to guard [Carter],” Reese said. “I can kind of move around and get open. She makes my job easier.”
Parker recorded 12 straight double-doubles over the 2009-2010 seasons. On June 30, Reese set the WNBA’s single-season record with 10 consecutive double-doubles, finishing with 10 points and 16 rebounds in the Sky’s 70-62 loss to the Lynx.
Poor late-game execution has been the most significant hurdle the Sky (8-11) have faced this season. Before Tuesday’s clutch win over the Dream, the Sky were 3-9 in clutch games this season.
The Storm nearly overcame a nine-point deficit in the final two minutes. Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor spearheaded their team’s comeback attempt, combining for 11 points in the fourth quarter.
But Reese’s back-to-back trips to the free-throw line iced the game.
The Storm’s entire starting five scored in double figures. Jordan Horston led the way with 20 points, and Nneka Ogwumike added 16.
“Even in this hostile environment, the composure was still there,” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “The game is about runs and momentum shifts. They did a hell of a job shifting the momentum back in our favor.”
Reese and Carter combined for 16 of the Sky’s 18 fourth-quarter points.
Walking out of their news conference at Climate Pledge Arena, Reese and Carter laughed as they plotted a TikTok video that surely would add to the admiration for the tandem.
“What do I have to do?” Carter asked Reese.
“I’m gonna say, ‘Hi, Barbie,’ ” Reese responded. “And then you say, ‘Hi, Ken!’ ”
The teams will play again in Seattle on Sunday (5 p.m., Marquee).
