Angel Reese Furious After Chicago Sky Appears to Quit on Her During Disastrous Loss

A pivotal moment in the Chicago Sky’s 2025 season became a microcosm of the team’s growing struggles on Tuesday night, as Angel Reese found herself at the center of an unsettling and revealing on-court incident. The Sky, already having a difficult season with a 3-10 record, faced a humbling 107-86 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, but it was what happened off the scoreboard that caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.

Angel Reese, a rising star and one of the Sky’s most talented players, appeared visibly frustrated as her team faltered, but the situation reached a boiling point during the third quarter, as the Sky seemed to give up entirely in the face of a dominant Mercury team. In an eerie moment that played out live on television, coach Tyler Marsh made a highly questionable decision that led to a disjointed and quiet benching of the team’s top performers, including Reese and Camila Cardoso.

The Moment of Disconnection

With the Sky already trailing by 28 points early in the third quarter, the Phoenix Mercury were on a tear, hitting five three-pointers within the first six minutes of the second half. Despite the blowout, Coach Marsh made no effort to call a timeout or rally the team. Instead, he simply waved his hand, signaling that the starters, including Reese, Cardoso, and Dana Evans, would not return to the game.

What followed was a silent, almost eerie disconnect from the game. Reese, Cardoso, and others on the bench were seen talking amongst themselves, but their body language told a different story—one of frustration and abandonment. A camera even caught Cardoso whispering something to Reese, but Reese simply sat still, visibly unaffected, marking a moment where the team seemed to lose its fight.

The Lack of Communication and Team Spirit

As the game went on, the Sky appeared to be increasingly disjointed. Reese, who had been playing at an elite level, was frozen out of the offense and failed to receive the ball when posting up. Similarly, Cardoso, who had been one of the few efficient players on the floor, was left out of the team’s defensive and offensive sets. The lack of movement and communication was palpable—at one point, both players reached for a rebound but let the ball bounce between them, not making an effort to secure possession. It was a symbol of the disconnection that was rapidly spreading across the team.

“It wasn’t just that they weren’t playing well,” one WNBA scout said. “They were disconnected. From the system. From the game. From each other.”

Marsh’s Lack of Leadership

For Tyler Marsh, this game marked a moment where his leadership—already in question—came under intense scrutiny. As one of the most critical moments of the game played out, Marsh’s lack of urgency, strategy, and accountability became glaringly apparent. Rather than attempt to motivate his players or call for changes, he seemed to have given up, possibly signaling to the team that he had already lost hope in the game’s outcome.

“He wasn’t coaching. He was evacuating,” said a Mercury assistant coach who witnessed the moment. Behind the scenes, Marsh’s internal struggles were laid bare. A Sky staffer claimed Marsh muttered, “I’m not doing this again,” suggesting a resignation from his coaching duties, furthering the idea that the team’s collapse wasn’t just physical—it was mental and emotional as well.

Angel Reese’s Response: Silence Amidst the Collapse

Despite being benched, Reese handled the situation with remarkable composure. In a postgame interview, she acknowledged her lackluster performance but did not mention her benching or the team’s overall struggles. Instead, she maintained a calm demeanor, saying, “I’m not playing well. I know that. But I show up. I take accountability.”

However, the room fell into an uneasy silence after Reese added, “I know my teammates believe in me,” as if the weight of the moment was too heavy to ignore. The film footage told a different story than her words—there was no visible belief, no connection, and no signs of the team uniting for the common goal. Instead, there was a team in retreat, emotionally and mentally disengaged from the game.

A Loss to Be Felt Beyond the Scoreboard

While the stats are damning—Reese’s 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 25 minutes were well below her usual standards, and Cardoso’s solid performance (17 points, 7-of-9 shooting) was overshadowed by her lack of involvement in the game—it was the body language and lack of cohesion that spoke louder than any stat line.

“The team wasn’t just bad,” said a WNBA scout. “They weren’t playing basketball anymore. They were just there.”

The Growing Frustration: A Team on the Brink?

The Chicago Sky are currently in crisis mode. Sitting at a 3-9 record, the team needs to address more than just their performance on the court—they need to find a way to restore the spirit and unity that has been lost. With Marsh’s leadership being questioned and the emotional and mental disengagement from some of the team’s key players, the Sky’s season is in danger of spiraling out of control unless significant changes are made.

As for Angel Reese, the spotlight has been squarely on her for her underperformance and the team’s collapse, but the blame doesn’t solely lie with her. Reese has shown she can dominate, but her inability to get the ball and the apparent breakdown of communication between teammates highlight a much deeper issue.

Conclusion: Rebuild or Breakdown?

With Angel Reese and Camila Cardoso being some of the brightest stars on the roster, it’s clear that the Sky have the potential to turn things around. But the question now is whether the team can recover from this public collapse and get back on track. Can they rebuild the chemistry and trust within the group, or is this a deeper breakdown? The answer to that question will determine not only the remainder of the season but the future of Tyler Marsh and the Sky’s hopes for success.

For Angel Reese, the challenge now lies in proving that her star power extends beyond individual performances, and that she can lead a team that has faltered under pressure.