But 2025 has been a grind. The Sky, sitting at 13-27 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018, have stumbled through injuries, trades, and a coaching carousel. Reese’s frustration boiled over postgame when, in a heated presser, she vented about teammates “not stepping up” and her refusal to “keep carrying the load alone.” The comments, raw and unfiltered, were a gut punch to a team already on its knees.
The fallout was swift. On September 16, the Sky suspended Reese for one game, citing “conduct detrimental to the team.” Coach Teresa Weatherspoon, in a terse statement, called the remarks “disappointing” but sidestepped questions about Reese’s future. Teammates were less diplomatic. Guard Chennedy Carter, averaging 17.2 points, took to X, posting, “Talk is cheap. Lead by example or step aside.” Forward Isabelle Harrison, a veteran presence, told ESPN, “We’re a unit. You don’t throw family under the bus.” The locker room, once unified by Reese’s relentless energy, now feels like a house divided. Fans on X are split—some hail Reese as a truth-teller exposing the Sky’s flaws, while others slam her for airing dirty laundry. “Angel’s right, this roster’s weak,” one user posted. Another fired back: “She’s no leader. Throwing shade instead of lifting up? Weak.”
The suspension, served during a 91-74 loss to the Atlanta Dream on September 17, only deepened the wound. Without Reese, the Sky looked listless, shooting 38% from the field and getting outrebounded 42-29. Her absence underscored her value—her 5.1 offensive rebounds per game are a franchise record—but also her volatility. Sources close to the team, per The Athletic, say Reese’s camp met with GM Jeff Pagliocca this week, fueling speculation about a trade request. The Sky, already thin after trading Marina Mabrey to Connecticut in July, can’t afford to lose their cornerstone. Yet, Reese’s comments suggest she’s eyeing greener pastures—perhaps New York or Las Vegas, where championship pedigrees align with her ambitions.
Reese’s defenders argue she’s a victim of circumstance. The Sky’s roster, decimated by injuries to Kamilla Cardoso and a lack of consistent guard play, has left Reese battling double-teams nightly. Her 1.3 steals and 1.9 assists show a willingness to evolve, but at 23, she’s still raw, prone to emotional outbursts that thrill fans but alienate teammates. Critics, though, see a pattern. Her LSU days were marked by taunts and trash-talk, from her “ring me” gesture to Caitlin Clark in the 2023 Finals to sideline spats with coaches. Is this a leader forging her path or a star risking her legacy?
As the Sky limp toward the offseason, the question looms: can this marriage be saved? Reese, under contract through 2027, holds leverage, but a trade could reshape the WNBA landscape. Chicago risks losing a generational talent; Reese risks burning bridges in a league that values unity. The comments section on X is ablaze, with fans dissecting every angle. One thing’s clear: Reese’s fiery words have ignited a teamstorm, and the winds of change are howling in Chicago. Will she stay and rebuild, or walk away from the Sky? The next move is hers—and the WNBA is watching.
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