Angel Reese’s Nightmare Game Highlights Deeper Problems for the Chicago Sky

The Chicago Sky’s early season struggles hit rock bottom in their recent 99–74 blowout loss to the New York Liberty, and the spotlight has fallen squarely on second-year forward Angel Reese. In what can only be described as one of the most frustrating performances in WNBA history, Reese went 0-for-8 from the field, scoring just two points from free throws while committing five turnovers and missing several point-blank layups.

Reese’s stat line might seem salvaged by her 12 rebounds—eight of which were offensive—but the numbers tell an uglier truth. Despite her hustle on the boards, she repeatedly failed to convert easy putbacks, at one point missing four consecutive layups on a single possession. Fans watched in disbelief as she clanked shots from less than five feet away with no defenders pressuring her. The viral clip of this sequence became an instant lowlight reel circulating across social media platforms, prompting harsh reactions from fans and critics alike.

This performance tied a WNBA record for the most missed shots within four feet of the basket in a single game over the past decade. In short, Angel Reese made history—but not the kind any player wants associated with their name.

The reaction online was swift and brutal. Fans took to Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit to express disbelief and ridicule. Some joked she was playing volleyball instead of basketball, others questioned how someone with her college resume could perform so poorly at the pro level. One viral post read, “Rebounds mean nothing if you can’t finish,” while others began compiling video montages of her missed shots, further cementing this game in the WNBA’s hall of shame.

Even more concerning is that Reese’s performance wasn’t just a one-off disaster—it’s the latest evidence of her continuing offensive struggles. During her rookie season, she averaged a modest 13.6 points per game, but her shooting efficiency remained a glaring weakness. Now in her second year, the lack of improvement raises questions about her offensive development and readiness for the WNBA’s elevated level of play.

But Reese wasn’t the only issue in Chicago’s humiliating defeat. The entire team looked lost, posting just nine points in the second quarter and committing 24 turnovers. That number translated into 27 points for the Liberty, who themselves set a WNBA record by hitting 19 three-pointers. The Sky’s defense appeared non-existent, leaving shooters wide open and failing to rotate on even the most basic plays.

The Sky now own the worst point differential in WNBA history through the first two games of a season—being outscored by 60 total points. They opened with a 93–58 thrashing at the hands of Indiana before being dismantled by New York. This isn’t just bad basketball; it’s systemic dysfunction.

Veteran players on the Sky, including former WNBA champion Courtney Vandersloot, admitted postgame that the team lacks chemistry and direction. “Offensively we haven’t found our rhythm. We’re trying to make the wrong play too often,” she said, echoing the frustrations seen on the court. It’s a damning assessment that reflects not just poor execution, but a coaching staff seemingly without answers.

Head coach Tyler Marsh, in his second year at the helm, has struggled to implement any sort of cohesive offensive system. The Sky’s sets look disjointed, their spacing is poor, and their shot selection leaves much to be desired. For a team that traded for veterans like Ariel Atkins with hopes of making a playoff push, the early returns are catastrophic.

Meanwhile, across the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Fever are experiencing a different kind of storyline. After dropping their opener to Atlanta, the Fever bounced back with a decisive win against the same team just days later. Led by rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, Indiana showed poise, energy, and resilience—qualities Chicago seems to lack entirely.

Clark, even without a breakout scoring night, controlled the game with her passing, vision, and leadership. Her teammates responded, with Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell contributing critical plays in key moments. The contrast between Indiana’s chemistry and Chicago’s chaos couldn’t be more stark.

In short, the Fever look like a team on the rise. The Sky look like a team lost at sea.

The harsh truth for Angel Reese is that the WNBA is unforgiving. The league has never been more competitive, and every possession counts. Players who dominate the boards but can’t finish will quickly find themselves on the bench or out of the league. If Reese wants to shed the criticism and prove her doubters wrong, she’ll need more than rebounds—she’ll need results.

As it stands, the Chicago Sky are making history for all the wrong reasons, and unless something changes fast, this season could spiral into a disaster no one can rebound from—not even Angel Reese.