ANGEL REESE missed EVERY SHOT vs Liberty.. still cant make LAYUPS in EMBARRASSING home opener loss
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Angel Reese’s Nightmare Home Opener: Missed Layups, Scoreless Streak, and Chicago Sky’s Embarrassing Loss to Liberty
CHICAGO, IL — The anticipation was palpable at Wintrust Arena as the Chicago Sky tipped off their home opener against the New York Liberty. The crowd, buzzing with excitement, expected to witness the dawn of a new era led by rookie sensation Angel Reese. Instead, they watched in disbelief as Reese endured the worst performance of her young professional career, missing every shot from the field and struggling mightily in a lopsided 87-59 defeat.
From College Stardom to WNBA Reality
Angel Reese arrived in Chicago with a national championship pedigree and sky-high expectations. Her relentless rebounding and infectious energy at LSU made her a household name, and Sky fans hoped she would bring that same dominance to the WNBA. But as the final buzzer sounded on her home debut, Reese’s stat line told a harsh story: 0-for-8 shooting, just two points (both from the free-throw line), and a staggering eight offensive rebounds—all off her own missed layups.
A Game to Forget
The Sky’s 28-point loss was more than just a bad night; it was a public unraveling of both team and star. Reese’s inability to finish around the rim became a running theme throughout the game. Time after time, she grabbed offensive rebounds—showcasing her hustle and nose for the ball—only to miss putbacks, sometimes multiple times on a single possession.
“Persistence is great, but at some point, you have to recognize the situation and kick the ball out,” one analyst noted during the broadcast. “You can’t just keep going up and missing layups, especially with defenders collapsing on you and shooters waiting on the perimeter.”
It wasn’t just the misses—it was their frequency and the missed opportunities they represented. Reese’s Sky teammates, including veteran guards Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins, stood wide open on the wings, clapping for the ball. Yet, possession after possession, Reese chose to force contested shots instead of resetting the offense.
The Numbers: A Brutal Breakdown
Reese’s final stat line was a study in frustration:
0-for-8 from the field
2-for-6 from the free-throw line
12 rebounds (eight offensive, four defensive)
Two points, zero assists, one turnover
Eight of Reese’s 12 rebounds came off her own missed shots. In a league where efficiency is prized, this kind of performance is rare and, frankly, alarming for a player expected to be a franchise cornerstone.
Not a Rivalry: The Caitlin Clark Comparison
Much of the preseason hype around the WNBA centered on the “rivalry” between Angel Reese and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Both players entered the league with massive followings and a history of headline-grabbing matchups in college. But after this game, the comparison felt forced—if not outright farcical.
“Can we stop comparing Angel Reese to Caitlin Clark?” one commentator said bluntly. “Clark is on another level as a scorer, shooter, and playmaker. Reese is a great rebounder, but she’s not in the same conversation when it comes to overall impact or skill set.”
Indeed, while Clark has had her own struggles adjusting to the WNBA, she’s shown flashes of the transcendent talent that made her a college superstar. Reese, by contrast, looked lost on offense, unable to convert even uncontested layups and failing to make a single field goal.
The Fans React: Disappointment and Frustration
Chicago Sky fans, who packed Wintrust Arena in hopes of a statement win, left in a state of disbelief. Social media lit up with criticism, not just of Reese’s performance but of the team’s overall direction.
“Dumpster fire from the top down,” one fan wrote, lamenting the front office’s decision to trade the No. 3 overall pick and pass on other promising prospects in favor of reshuffling the roster. “You traded the number three pick—you could have had Sonia Citron, but you went and got Ariel Atkins. I don’t know what y’all are doing.”
Others focused on the lack of offensive cohesion and the inability to capitalize on open shooters. “You got two shooters standing there clapping for the ball, and she keeps throwing up bricks for layups, getting blocked because she can’t jump over a piece of toilet paper,” one frustrated supporter said.
Coaching and Team Dynamics: Where’s the Leadership?
The Sky’s coaching staff faces tough questions after such a disjointed performance. Why wasn’t Reese encouraged to kick the ball out to open teammates? Why did the offense devolve into repeated, unsuccessful attempts at the rim, rather than running sets to get quality looks?
Even Camila Cardoso, Reese’s fellow rookie and frontcourt partner, appeared exasperated. On one possession, after yet another missed putback, Cardoso simply ran back on defense, signaling her resignation to the inevitable outcome.
The lack of in-game adjustments and accountability was glaring. For a team hoping to compete in a loaded Eastern Conference, these are issues that must be addressed immediately.
The Broader WNBA Context: Not All Rookies Are Created Equal
Reese’s struggles serve as a stark reminder that the jump from college to the WNBA is steep. The size, speed, and skill of professional defenders make even the most basic shots more difficult. While Reese’s rebounding is elite, her offensive game remains a work in progress.
“She was working on her step-back threes all summer, but didn’t even attempt one tonight,” an analyst observed. “Maybe she should have spent more time on layups. You have to master the fundamentals before expanding your game.”
Unlike in college, where Reese could bully smaller opponents and rack up easy points, the WNBA is unforgiving. Every possession is contested, every mistake magnified.
Media and Cultural Hype: Manufactured Rivalries and Realities
The relentless media focus on Reese vs. Clark has done neither player any favors. While it’s tempting to manufacture rivalries for the sake of clicks and ratings, the reality on the court tells a different story.
“We’ve been going back and forth over that?” one commentator asked incredulously. “There’s no way you can watch her play and think she’s as good as so many of these other stars. There’s no way you can watch this and think she’s on the same planet as Caitlin Clark.”
The pressure to live up to the hype is immense, and for Reese, it’s clear that she needs time and support to develop her game at the professional level.
The Path Forward: Adjustments and Accountability
For Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, the only way out is through hard work, honest self-assessment, and a willingness to adapt. Reese’s effort and rebounding are undeniable, but she must learn to make better decisions with the ball and finish at the rim against elite defenders.
Coaches must put her in positions to succeed, emphasizing ball movement and shot selection. Teammates need to communicate and demand the ball when open. And Reese herself must embrace the challenge of improving her offensive skill set.
Final Thoughts: Humility and Hope
One bad game does not define a career, but it can serve as a wake-up call. Angel Reese has the talent and drive to succeed in the WNBA, but the road will be long and filled with obstacles. The hype may have outpaced reality for now, but with humility and hard work, she can silence the critics and become the player Chicago believes she can be.
For the Sky, the focus must shift from manufactured storylines to real solutions. The fans deserve better, and the league is watching. The next chapter is up to them.
