It’s been a rocky start for the Windy City franchise. First, a 35-point blowout loss to the Fever. Then, the Sky watched the defending champions light it up from deep for record threes in a single game. Then came the third straight loss to open the season– this time to the LA Sparks. Sky may not be betting on the title this season, but it isn’t exactly the look the front office hinted at when Courtney Vandersloot said, “You’re thinking about creating a winning culture so free agents look at you and say, ‘I want to go play there.’” So alarms are ringing, but Angel Reese is holding her clam.
It was neck and neck at the Crypto.com Arena through the first two quarters. The Sparks held a narrow 4-point lead at halftime, far from comfortable. Everyone knew the tide could turn fast. But then came Kelsey Plum. And she wasn’t about to let her team drop a fourth straight game. The All-Star guard turned it up in the third quarter–scoring 17 of her game-high 28 points right there. Five of those buckets came from beyond the arc. Just like that, the Sparks took control and never looked back, cruising to a 91-78 win.
The Sky made one final push, stringing together a 10-0 run that spanned the end of the third and early fourth. They got within five–76-71 with just over seven minutes left. But that’s as close as it got. Still, Angel Reese showed out. She dropped 13 points and grabbed 12 boards–marking the 28th double-double of her pro career. And even though it ended in another loss, Reese isn’t hitting the panic button. She believes this team will find its rhythm provided they stay together as a group.
“I think we just ought to stay together. It’s tough, losing three in a row. But I think if we stay together and continue to work on the things we need to work on, we will be better,” the Sky forward asserted in the post-game conference. “I mean, we have great vets–E-Wells, Kia, Ariel—they’ve been in this league for a while, and they know what it takes to win and get over this hump. It’s not–we’re not happy, obviously, and we’re not satisfied at all. We’re hungry for a win. I think just taking our time day by day–we have a lot more games left.”
May 6, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Sky Courtney Vandersloot (22) during the second half of a WNBA pre-season game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
This offseason, the Sky front office made some big moves–bringing in experience to guide the young frontcourt duo of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. They added proven veterans like Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, Kia Nurse, and Rebecca Allen to the roster.
Atkins, 28, was a major pickup. She’s been a defensive powerhouse, earning First or Second Team All-Defensive honors five times in seven seasons with the Mystics. Plus, she’s no stranger to the big stage–five playoff runs and a championship in 2018. Then there’s Vandersloot. At 36, she’s a living legend. She started carving up defenses when Reese was just 9 years old. Vandersloot played 12 seasons with the Sky, racked up four All-Star nods, and helped them win their first title in 2021. After two years with the Liberty and another championship in 2023, she’s back where it all started.
When the Sky added the 4 new faces to the roster, Jeff Pagliocca made clear they were high-level players brought in to make changes and adjustments. The Sky weren’t looking to do the maintenance work. With all the shooters in, they had a plan going, too. “We can kick it out, or they can drive and dump it off for us,” Cardoso sounded excited during the training camp. The roles are clear, the vision is clear. All that’s needed is execution.
That’s exactly why Angel Reese is staying optimistic. Sure, it hasn’t been the dream start to the season. But look at the experience around her. Veterans who’ve been through it. Who know what it takes to win. With that kind of leadership in the locker room, it feels like just a matter of time.
While the Sky will now regroup and look to win their next game. There was a moment between Reese and Plum during the game which had everyone talking. Let’s take a look at that!
Kelsey Plum’s savage gesture toward Angel Reese goes viral
Even though the Sparks cruised to a comfortable win in the end, Kelsey Plum wasn’t done making a statement. Midway through the first half, Angel Reese got the assignment to guard her on the perimeter. And that’s when Plum went straight to work. Seeing the matchup, the two-time champ wasted no time–blowing right past Reese with ease. The rookie didn’t back down, though. She hustled behind, trying to recover and contest the shot.
But it was too late. Plum had already finished the layup. And then came the moment that lit up social media. As she sprinted back on defense, Plum looked down, made a quick gesture, and let everyone know–Reese was “too small” to guard her. The crowd saw it. The cameras caught it. And the internet? It exploded.
Moments like these are just part of the game. Reese knows it well–she’s had her own share of those fiery exchanges too. But right now, for Reese and the Sky, the focus is clear: the next game against the Mercury. Can the experienced veterans step up and help Chicago grab their first win? Stay tuned to find out!
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