Angel Reese Furious Over Benching in Blowout Loss: Chicago Sky Coach on the Hot Seat

The Chicago Sky’s season hit a new low Wednesday night, suffering yet another humiliating blowout loss—this time at home, trailing by as many as 30 points to the Phoenix Mercury. The Sky, now 3–9, have become the laughingstock of the WNBA, and the frustration is boiling over—not just among fans, but within the locker room itself.

At the center of the storm is Angel Reese, the highly touted sophomore forward who entered the league with enormous hype, a national championship pedigree, and a massive social media following. But as the Sky continue to unravel, the hard truth is becoming impossible to ignore: Reese is struggling, and her frustration is showing.

A Night to Forget

From the opening tip, it was clear the Sky were in trouble. They fell behind 31–8 in the first quarter and never recovered. By the third quarter, with the deficit ballooning to 25, head coach Tyler Marsh benched the entire starting lineup—including Reese—not to spark a comeback or rest his stars, but simply to spare them further embarrassment.

It was, as many described, a public surrender.

Reese’s numbers on the night told the story: just one shot attempt, nine points (mostly from the free-throw line), two rebounds, and two assists. She finished with a staggering -25 plus/minus. For a player once billed as the future face of the league, it was a triple-single performance that raised more questions than answers.

The Disconnect Between Hype and Reality

The hype around Reese was never just about her play—it was her charisma, her college accolades, and her ability to draw fans. But in the pros, performance matters most. And so far this season, Reese is averaging just 9.1 points per game on a woeful 30.9% shooting. Her rebounding, once her calling card, has dropped off dramatically—a sign that what worked in college doesn’t always translate to the WNBA, where opponents are bigger, stronger, and smarter.

What’s more troubling, some analysts argue, is the disconnect between Reese’s public statements and her on-court production. After the loss, Reese spoke at length about hustle, growth, and team trust. While she took accountability for her struggles, critics noted that her words rang hollow in light of her performance. “You can’t average two rebounds as a forward and talk about dominating the glass,” one commentator quipped.

Leadership Under Fire

For the Sky, the problems go deeper than just one player. The team owns the worst defensive rating in the league, consistently allows opponents to shoot over 45% from three, and hasn’t held a single opponent under 90 points in weeks. Turnovers are rampant—nearly 19 per game—pointing to fundamental issues with chemistry and execution.

Still, as the team’s most high-profile player, Reese is expected to lead by example. But instead of elevating her teammates, she appears caught in the dysfunction—sometimes even contributing to it. The offense is disjointed, players are visibly frustrated, and no one seems on the same page. True faces of leagues, like A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart, set the tone both in the locker room and on the court. So far, Reese hasn’t shown that ability.

Is Coaching to Blame?

Some have pointed the finger at coach Tyler Marsh, whose decision to bench his starters in the third quarter drew criticism from fans and analysts alike. Was it an act of surrender, or a desperate attempt to shake things up? Either way, the move did little to stop the bleeding—and may have only deepened the team’s morale issues.

Meanwhile, other players like Camila Cardoso quietly delivered—scoring 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting—only to be benched alongside the rest of the starters. The message from the coaching staff was muddled, and the team’s direction is unclear.

A Reckoning for the Franchise

With national TV cameras rolling, the Sky’s meltdown was on full display. The organization, once a model of stability, now faces tough questions about its future. “I don’t think there’s anybody on this roster who’s 100% guaranteed to be here next season,” one analyst said bluntly. “I just don’t see the untouchable talent.”

For Reese, the scrutiny is only intensifying. Endorsement deals and social media clout mean little when the cameras are rolling and your team is getting blown out. If she wants to become the face of the WNBA, she’ll need to deliver on the floor, not just in interviews.

Looking Ahead

To be clear, this isn’t the end of Angel Reese’s story. She’s young, marketable, and clearly works hard. But potential isn’t enough in a professional league. The WNBA needs its stars to shine under pressure, dominate consistently, and elevate the level of play across the board.

For now, Reese’s focus should be on development—embracing criticism, improving her game, and letting her play do the talking. Until then, the league can’t afford to have a player shooting under 31%, averaging under 10 points, and struggling to secure rebounds as its primary face. It sends the wrong message to fans, future stars, and the league itself.

Angel Reese might one day be a star. But right now, she’s not the one to lead the WNBA forward. The league deserves a face who shines under pressure, dominates consistently, and lifts the game to new heights. That isn’t Angel Reese—not yet.

SEE MORE: Sophie Cunningham vindicated after facing petition to be banned from WNBA

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon has spoken on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham defending Caitlin Clark with a hard foul in retaliation against the Connecticut Sun last week

Sophie Cunningham’s jersey has sold out after she defended Caitlin Clark last week

Sophie Cunningham was the subject of a petition calling for her to be ‘banned’ from the WNBA after she hard fouled an opponent last week, but a rival head coach has defended her actions.

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon actually enjoyed seeing Cunningham doing what she did, after she retaliated with a hard foul on a Connecticut Sun player, who had fouled her teammate in Caitlin Clark earlier in the game. Cunningham has received both praise and hate the incident which sparked a brawl before facing a petition to ban her from the game.

Cunningham had fouled Jacy Sheldon with just seconds left in the game, having no intention of playing the ball while looking to bring down her opponent – who had fouled Clark on numerous occasions earlier in the game. Clark appeared to be targeted earlier by the Sun and even shoved to the ground by Connecticut guard Marina Mabrey. Cunningham’s actions had clearly been in defense of Clark. It came as a WNBA commentator was humiliated in a bizarre Donald Trump incident live on air.

Speaking on the Clark incident, and how it had been officiated, Hammon explained that the Fever guard will have to get used to hard fouls throughout her career.

She said: “She’s a beast… and she’s just going to continue to get better. But she’s a player who you have to be physical with. If you just follow her around, she’s going to cook you for dinner.”

When asked on her thoughts on Cunningham and her teammates defending her, Hammon admitted that she’s a fan of such actions being allowed. She said: “I think teammates should step in and defend Caitlin.

Sophie Cunningham had sparked a scrap between numerous players after her hard foul

“But at the end of the day… there’s too much bumping, too much grabbing, too much fouling that’s not getting called. And people are tired of getting hit.”

Cunningham has quickly become a fan favorite with the Fever since joining alongside Clark, seeing her jersey now completely sold out following the incident.

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Meanwhile, some other fans want her kicked out of the league. In a peculiar petition, a fans group, with 388 signatures, have explained why there’s no place in the league for her actions.

“Cunningham has been involved in numerous incidents that have not only compromised the safety of other players but also tarnished the reputation of the WNBA as a league that prides itself on integrity and fair play,” the petition alleges.

Becky Hammon defended Sophie Cunningham’s actions

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“The WNBA has always been a beacon of sportsmanship and empowerment, showcasing the talents of incredible athletes who inspire fans around the world… Sophie Cunningham’s aggressive and malicious actions have violated these principles, diminishing the spirit of competition and setting a poor example for aspiring young athletes,” it continued.

“We urge the WNBA to uphold its standards and take firm action against players who repeatedly demonstrate disrespect and aggression toward others. Removing Sophie Cunningham from the league would send a strong message that the WNBA does not tolerate violence or intimidation, ensuring that the court remains a place for celebration, skill, and unity rather than conflict.”