The sky isn’t just falling in Chicago; it’s collapsing. Four games into the WNBA season, the Chicago Sky are winless, the locker room is in disarray, and the team’s brightest star, Angel Reese, is reportedly demanding a trade while publicly calling out her teammates and coaches. What’s gone so wrong, so fast? And is this the start of a meltdown that could define the Sky’s season—and maybe Angel Reese’s career?

From Record-Breaking to Rock Bottom

On paper, Angel Reese should be the toast of the league. She just became the fastest player in WNBA history to notch 500 points and 500 rebounds, shattering Tina Charles’s previous record. Night after night, she racks up double-doubles, stuffing the stat sheet in ways that should have her in the MVP conversation. But in Chicago, those numbers are starting to look like empty calories—impressive, yes, but ultimately meaningless on a team that can’t buy a win.

The Sky’s latest collapse came against the Phoenix Mercury, where they blew a 16-point lead and fell to 0-4. Reese’s stat line was solid—13 points, 15 rebounds—but her performance, like the team’s, wilted down the stretch. Critics are hammering her shot selection, her efficiency, and her decision-making in crunch time. One play in particular—a wild, no-look heave over her shoulder while a teammate was wide open—has become emblematic of the Sky’s dysfunction: a star forcing the issue while the rest of the team stands and watches.

A Team Out of Sync

Basketball is about chemistry, about five players moving as one. But right now, the Chicago Sky look like five soloists playing different songs. Analysts point out that the team’s offensive rating actually drops when Reese is on the court, and the eye test backs it up: the ball stops moving, the offense stalls, and the fourth quarter turns into a parade of forced shots and missed opportunities.

Reese’s frustration is boiling over. Insiders report she’s gone to management to request a trade, and she hasn’t been shy about blaming her teammates and coaches. “I can’t handle these [expletives] who put themselves before the team,” she allegedly told the front office—a stunning indictment just four games into her second pro season.

But the criticism isn’t just coming from within. Fans and analysts alike are questioning whether Reese’s gaudy numbers are actually helping the team. Is she a franchise cornerstone, or just another star putting herself ahead of the system?

Practice What You Preach

The contradictions don’t end there. Reese’s off-court decisions are under the microscope, too. She was spotted at the Met Gala during preseason, missing valuable practice time while her teammates prepared for the grind ahead. It’s a glamorous look—but a questionable one for a player now accusing others of not putting the team first. Critics see hypocrisy: how can you demand total commitment from others when you’re jetting off to New York for celebrity events?

All of this has only fueled the sense that the Sky’s problems run deeper than just one player. The roster is thin, the bench is unreliable, and coaching decisions—like limiting Camila Cardoso’s minutes despite her efficiency—have left fans scratching their heads. The Sky look lost, and the pressure is mounting.

A Roster Built to Fail?

It’s easy to scapegoat Reese, but the truth is, Chicago’s issues go far beyond her. The team lacks depth, especially at guard, and the chemistry just isn’t there. The front office gambled on big names without a clear plan for how the pieces would fit. Now, with the season slipping away, everyone is pointing fingers.

Reese’s role is another sore spot. She’s reportedly unhappy being used as a screen-setter and perimeter decoy, rather than operating near the basket where she’s most effective. It’s a subtle but telling sign that the disconnect isn’t just about personalities—it’s about basketball philosophy.

Where Do They Go From Here?

If the Sky keep losing, the noise will only get louder. History shows that locker room drama can destroy even the most talented teams. The 2018 Sparks, the Mystics’ internal feuds—these stories are cautionary tales for what happens when chemistry breaks down.

So what’s the solution? Trading Reese might shake things up, but it won’t fix the deeper problems: a shallow bench, questionable coaching, and a system that doesn’t maximize its talent. The Sky need a full reset, not just a new star.

For Reese, a trade could offer a fresh start—but it won’t silence the critics who say her game needs to evolve. For Chicago, the path back to relevance will be long and painful. The only certainty is that the drama is far from over.

The Chicago Sky’s nightmare start isn’t just a blip—it’s a warning sign. If the organization can’t address its foundational flaws, this season could spiral into one of the most chaotic in franchise history. And for Angel Reese, the spotlight is only getting harsher. The question now isn’t just where she’ll play next—but what kind of player, and teammate, she’ll become.