Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso BENCHED as Sky QUIT against Phoenix Mercury in BLOW OUT LOSS!
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From the opening tip, the Sky seemed outmatched, out-hustled, and outclassed by a Phoenix Mercury squad that couldn’t seem to miss from beyond the arc. By halftime, the Mercury had already built a commanding lead, and the mood at Wintrust Arena grew tense as fans watched their team unravel on national TV.
But things went from bad to worse in the third quarter. With the Mercury leading by over 20 points and showing no signs of slowing down, Coach Marsh pulled the plug—benching his entire starting lineup, including rookie sensation Angel Reese and the dominant Kamilla Cardoso. The move stunned fans, broadcasters, and even the players themselves, as it became painfully clear that the Sky were conceding defeat long before the final buzzer.
Starters Benched, Fans Furious
Angel Reese, who recently made headlines with a triple-double performance, was limited to just one field goal attempt in the game. She finished with nine points, two rebounds, and two assists—a far cry from her usual impact, particularly on the boards. Cardoso, meanwhile, was one of the few bright spots for Chicago, shooting an impressive 7-of-9 from the field for 17 points. But even her strong performance couldn’t keep her on the court as Marsh opted to sit his best players in the face of the onslaught.
The reaction from fans was immediate and harsh. Social media exploded with criticism of Marsh’s coaching decisions, with many calling for his firing. “The Chicago Sky are one of the worst basketball teams I’ve ever seen,” one commentator lamented on YouTube. “Their coach literally just waved the white flag. He quit.”
Some fans even accused Marsh of sabotaging the team, suggesting that his rotations and in-game adjustments have stifled Reese’s strengths—particularly her rebounding, which has been a hallmark of her game since college. “He’s taken that away,” another fan complained. “So much for coming off a triple-double.”
Phoenix Mercury Run Wild
While Chicago struggled, the Mercury put on a clinic. Sammy Wickham drilled five three-pointers en route to 17 points, while Satu Sabally added 15 points on scorching 5-of-7 shooting. Alyssa Thomas chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds, and Kahleah Copper torched her former team for 16 points, three assists, and three boards.
The Mercury’s hot shooting was historic. They connected on at least 16 three-pointers for the third time this season—matching the combined total of every other team in the league. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Sky were trailing by as many as 36 points, and the arena began to empty out as fans headed for the exits.
A Season in Crisis
The blowout loss is just the latest in a string of embarrassing performances for the Sky, who have now been on the receiving end of multiple nationally televised beatdowns. Their porous defense and stagnant offense have left fans and analysts alike wondering whether the team is actively trying to tank the season.
“Chicago Sky might be the worst basketball team to ever exist,” one frustrated fan wrote. “Their defense is terrible. Their offense is non-existent. They have no spark plug, nothing.”
The criticism extended to the team’s usage of Angel Reese, who has been asked to play out of position as a point forward—limiting her effectiveness around the rim. “The one thing she can do is gobble up rebounds like Pac-Man and pellets,” said a YouTube analyst. “He’s got her playing point forward, and it’s a disaster.”
What’s Next for the Sky?
As the losses pile up and the fan base grows increasingly restless, the pressure is mounting on Coach Marsh and the front office to make changes. Some are calling for Marsh’s dismissal, arguing that his decision to bench his starters in a nationally televised game was an act of surrender that should not be tolerated at the professional level.
Others believe the problems run deeper, pointing to the team’s lack of offensive firepower and defensive discipline. Outside of Cardoso, the Sky have struggled to find consistent scoring, with key players like Haley Van Lith and Kia Nurse combining for just three made field goals in the loss to Phoenix.
With the season quickly slipping away, the Sky’s leadership faces tough questions about the direction of the franchise. Are they committed to developing their young core around Reese and Cardoso, or is a more drastic rebuild on the horizon?
Final Thoughts
Sunday’s blowout loss to the Mercury was more than just a bad game—it was a public unraveling of a team in crisis. With the spotlight firmly on Chicago, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Sky can salvage their season, or if more sweeping changes are needed to restore hope to a fan base desperate for answers.
For now, one thing is clear: the Chicago Sky have hit rock bottom, and the only way out is up. Whether Coach Marsh will be the one to lead them remains to be seen.
