ESPN Changes Decision on Angel Reese's Chicago Sky
Expectations were high for the Chicago Sky this season after the impressive rookie campaigns that Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso put together last year. Both landed on the All-Rookie team, and Reese even earned an All-Star nod.
Tyler Marsh took over as the team's head coach as well. After spending three seasons as an assistant for the Las Vegas Aces and winning two WNBA championships, he was seen as a massive upgrade over Teresa Weatherspoon.
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Unfortunately, the Sky got off to a rough start in 2025. They traveled to Indiana to take on the Fever for their opening game, and they got throttled by a score of 93 to 58.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Given the additions of veteran guards like Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins, many thought that the Sky would have an improved backcourt. Rookie guard Hailey Van Lith has shown promise as well, but she played sparingly on Saturday.
ESPN has already reacted strongly to the blowout. In their latest WNBA Power Rankings, they dropped the Sky three spots after just one game, which places them at No. 12 in the league, just below the very bottom.
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"The Sky didn't look good offensively at any point in their 93-58 loss at Indiana on Saturday, shooting 29.1%," ESPN wrote. "But there is a new coach in Tyler Marsh and a new backcourt in Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse and Ariel Atkins. Plus, the Fever played well. We will see how Chicago responds to such a dispiriting opener."
Chicago will certainly need time to allow all their new pieces to fit together, but they looked downright lost against the Fever. They had no answer for Caitlin Clark or her teammates, and they had no flow to their offense.
Reese was the team's leading scorer with 12 points, which is not a sustainable recipe for success in the WNBA. Her 17 rebounds was impressive, but others need to help her out on the boards.
Marsh and his team have a few more days until their next game, but things will not get any easier as they play the New York Liberty, the league's defending champions. This group will have to grow up in a hurry or else things could get treacherous in a league with a lot of parity.
Related: WNBA Reacts to Major Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky News
Related: Calls Mount for Chicago Sky to Make Chennedy Carter Move After Indiana Fever Loss
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