The Chicago Sky didn’t just struggle in 2025 — they unraveled in full view of the league. A brutal 10–34 record, league-leading turnovers, and the lowest scoring output tied with Connecticut painted a picture of a franchise completely out of rhythm. And as if the statistics weren’t damning enough, NBA legend Bob Cousy delivered the knockout line, blasting the Sky for showing “no identity, no leadership, no fire” all season. His words hit like a warning siren for a team that many believed had enough talent to remain competitive, yet somehow slipped to rock bottom.
What makes the collapse even more shocking is the roster itself — Angel Reese, a two-time All-Star still dominating the boards; Olympians Rebecca Allen and Ariel Atkins; and rising force Kamilla Cardoso, who emerged as one of the team’s most improved players. The so-called “Skyscrapers” delivered inside, but Chicago’s problems started where every system lives or dies: at point guard. The moment Courtney Vandersloot tore her ACL in June, the Sky’s offense fell into disarray. Without their veteran floor general, Chicago rotated a cast of shooting guards into the role. Allen, Atkins, Nurse and Banham all had explosive scoring nights, but none could stabilize the offense. Shot creation sputtered, ball movement broke down, and the team’s identity evaporated.
Meanwhile, injuries piled up like a cruel joke. The Sky were healthy for only six games the entire season. Vandersloot’s devastating knee injury was followed by Atkins’ leg issue and a back injury that sidelined Reese. Add absences from Elizabeth Williams, Hailey Van Lith and Michaela Onyenwere, and Chicago spent months fielding patchwork lineups. In a season where the league lost nearly 1,000 player games to injury, the Sky became the cautionary tale.
Yet, amidst the chaos, one thing became clear: the locker room never turned on first-year head coach Tyler Marsh. Despite the losing streaks and blown leads, players praised Marsh for his compassion and loyalty. Cardoso called him “amazing through the ups and downs,” the rare coach who cared about humanity as much as Xs and Os. But even that goodwill couldn’t drown out Angel Reese’s bold midseason request — urging Marsh to “coach harder” and challenging GM Jeff Pagliocca to build a stronger roster. The comment sparked backlash and even a suspension, but strangely, Pagliocca seemed to agree.
“We absolutely need to improve the roster,” Pagliocca admitted in his exit interview, sounding every bit like a GM preparing for sweeping changes. “We are really committed to getting back to a place where we are competing with the best teams in this league.”
Reese’s future remains another dramatic subplot. She skipped her exit interview, leaving fans unsure whether she intends to stay in Chicago. Pagliocca insists she is still part of the long-term plan — “until I hear differently” — but uncertainty hangs thick, especially with seven players hitting free agency and an expansion draft looming.
Off the court, Chicago’s long-promised $38 million practice facility remains delayed, adding to the perception of a franchise stuck between aspiration and dysfunction. It was supposed to open by December 2025, then April 2026, and now the team can only hope it’s ready for next season.
But perhaps the most searing indictment still comes from Cousy’s explosive statement — a veteran of the sport calling out the still-young franchise with razor-sharp clarity. He wasn’t wrong: the Sky didn’t impose their will, didn’t define who they were, and didn’t look like a team hungry to claw its way upward.
Now the question hangs over Chicago like a storm cloud: is this rock bottom, or the turning point Pagliocca insists it will be?
With a rebuild on the horizon, a fractured roster, and the league watching closely, Chicago has one offseason to prove it isn’t becoming the WNBA’s newest cautionary tale.
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