As the Chicago Sky dropped their eighth consecutive game on Sunday, cameras captured a revealing moment between Angel Reese and two Phoenix Mercury players that offered a rare glimpse of goodwill amid on-court struggles.
Chicago‘s skid continued with a decisive loss to Phoenix, moving their season mark to 7-21 as they remained mired near the bottom of the WNBA standings.
Reese, hampered by a lingering back injury, sat out her second straight matchup and fourth time in five contests.
Despite her absence, she took center court after the final buzzer to exchange pleasantries with Mercury stars Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas.
What began as a routine postgame handshake transformed into a moment of sportsmanship, with Reese hugging and conversing with Thomas and Copper.
Though brief, their interaction stood in stark contrast to the on-court competition that saw Chicago fall hard again.
Chicago‘s season has been riddled with setbacks from injury and inconsistency.
The Sky‘s woes extend beyond their record. They’ve endured persistent issues with offensive execution and interior defense.
Reese‘s presence offers rebounding and energy, but despite her leagueleading 11.7 rebounds per game, Chicago ranks secondlast in scoring average, at just 77.4 points per game.
Struggle and character emerge amid losing stretch
The Sky have truly leaned on Reese all season. She became the fastest player in league history to reach 500 points and 500 rebounds, doing so in just 38 games, breaking Tina Charles’ previous mark.
However, that milestone came in a loss, further illustrating a season of personal highlights overshadowed by team woes.
Her rebounding consistency remains a bright spot, yet the Sky‘s overall performance continues to disappoint.
In addition to on-court struggles, Reese has drawn attention for clashes off the court, too. A recent public back-andforth with WNBA legend Candace Parker placed the young star under scrutiny as Parker questioned Reese’s scoring role and leadership, labeling her “C-tier.”
Reese responded cryptically via social media, though the team’s focus remains on turning the tide on the court.
Chicago‘s coaching staff under Tyler Marsh (hired in November 2024) continues to look for adjustments amid the losing streak.
With several injuries across the roster, including veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, lost for the season, Sky depth has been tested all year.
Despite the slump, there have been signals of progress.
In their game on Friday, despite losing to the Golden State Valkyries, the Sky showed sharper ball security and leadership from Rachel Banham, who posted 14 points, seven assists, and five boards, while the post duo of Kamilla Cardoso and Elizabeth Williams dominated inside, even as they came up short.
Read the full article here
