WNBA Drama: Angel Reese Faces Teammate Frustration as Chicago Sky Implodes
The Chicago Sky’s 2025 WNBA season has kicked off with a disaster of historic proportions, and at the center of it all is Angel Reese. In a humiliating 99-74 loss to the New York Liberty, cameras captured a moment that’s gone viral: teammate Kamilla Cardoso physically distancing herself from the bench every time Reese touched the ball. The body language was brutal, and it’s sparked a firestorm of debate about Reese’s performance, team chemistry, and the Sky’s future.
Let’s set the scene: the Sky are 0-2, with a jaw-dropping negative 60-point differential through their first two games—the worst start in WNBA history. For context, no team has ever begun a season this poorly, with the previous worst two-game differential at around minus-40. Chicago’s performance against the Liberty was a masterclass in dysfunction. New York set a WNBA regular-season record with 19 three-pointers, shooting lights out while the Sky couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn, managing just 36.2% from the field.
Reese, expected to be a cornerstone for the Sky, had what can only be described as her worst professional game. She went 0-for-8 from the field, scoring a measly two points in 27 minutes. Her struggles weren’t just about missed shots; she missed layups—shots that should be automatic for a pro. Her 12 rebounds, eight of them offensive, were overshadowed by her inability to convert at the rim, where she’s shooting a dismal 23.5% on close-range attempts. Social media erupted, with one fan tweeting, “Is this real or looped somehow?” as Reese missed multiple layups in a single sequence, even after grabbing her own rebounds. Critics have accused her of stat-padding, prioritizing rebounds over actual scoring.
But the real story is the visible fracture in team chemistry. Cardoso, known for her professionalism and composure, couldn’t hide her frustration. During the third quarter, as Reese missed her third consecutive shot, Cardoso’s shoulders slumped, and she physically moved away from her teammates on the bench. This wasn’t subtle—she was creating visible space, a clear signal of her exasperation. Veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot didn’t mince words post-game, calling out “dumb plays” and admitting the team hasn’t figured out basic spacing. “We’re trying to figure out how to position our post players,” she said, hinting at deeper systemic issues.
The Sky’s preseason hopes were high after trading for Ariel Atkins, aiming to pair her shooting with Reese’s rebounding for a playoff push. Instead, they’re a team in freefall, with fans already calling for changes just two games in. Cardoso, reportedly excited about new coach Tyler Marsh’s vision, seems to have been sold a “fake bill of goods,” as one commentator put it. Her frustration is palpable, and it’s hard to blame her when the offense looks amateurish, with Reese leading the league in turnovers (10 in two games) and the team unable to execute basic plays.
Meanwhile, across the league, the Indiana Fever are showing how a team should respond to adversity. After a loss to the Atlanta Dream, Caitlin Clark and her teammates regrouped, dominating their rematch with cohesive play and visible support on the bench. Clark, despite an off night, still managed 11 points, six assists, and four rebounds, creating opportunities for teammates like Lexi Hull and Aaliyah Boston. The Fever’s system is built on trust and spacing, a stark contrast to Chicago’s cramped, dysfunctional offense.
The contrast between Reese and Clark couldn’t be clearer. While Clark’s teammates rally around her, Reese’s are visibly pulling away. Social media is buzzing with praise for Clark’s resilience, with even LeBron James fan accounts hyping her leadership. The Fever are building something special, while the Sky are crumbling under the weight of their own dysfunction. Fans are already speculating about trading Reese, with comments like “Free Kamilla Cardoso” trending online.
This isn’t just about missed shots—it’s about a team imploding on live TV. When your own teammate can’t stand watching you play, it’s a wake-up call. Reese needs to figure things out fast, or 2025 will belong to Clark and the Fever, while the Sky’s season spirals into a historic disaster.
