“Angel Reese is under fire as the Chicago Sky fall to the Indiana Fever for the second game in a row.

The Chicago Sky’s struggles continued on Tuesday night as they suffered their second consecutive loss to the Indiana Fever, reigniting criticism of rookie standout Angel Reese. Despite high expectations surrounding Reese’s arrival in the WNBA, the Sky have yet to find consistent success, and the spotlight has turned sharply on the former LSU star as fans and analysts question her impact in these critical early-season matchups.

Tuesday’s game followed a familiar script for the Sky—competitive early but ultimately undone by lapses in execution, particularly in the closing minutes. The Fever, led by Caitlin Clark’s dynamic playmaking and Aliyah Boston’s dominance in the paint, managed to pull away late, securing an 89-82 victory. Reese, who finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds, showed flashes of her trademark tenacity but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 4-of-12 from the field. More concerning was her inability to contain Boston defensively, as the Fever center repeatedly exploited mismatches in the post.

Reese’s performance has become a focal point of debate, with some arguing that the weight of expectations is unfairly heavy for a rookie, while others contend that her preseason hype has not translated into consistent production. Social media was quick to pounce on her stat line, with critics pointing out her turnovers and defensive miscues as key factors in the Sky’s collapse. Meanwhile, supporters highlight the lack of offensive structure around her, noting that Chicago’s guards have often failed to get her the ball in favorable positions.

The Sky’s coaching staff has remained publicly supportive of Reese, emphasizing her work ethic and long-term potential. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon acknowledged the growing pains but insisted that Reese’s development is a process. “Angel is learning every game,” Weatherspoon said postgame. “She’s going against some of the best players in the world night in and night out. The mistakes she makes now are fixable, and she’s the kind of player who will put in the work to correct them.”

However, patience is wearing thin among segments of the fanbase, especially as the Sky’s playoff hopes grow dimmer. At 4-9, Chicago sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and with a tough schedule ahead, the margin for error is shrinking. Reese’s role as a franchise cornerstone means every performance will be scrutinized, and the pressure will only intensify if losses continue to pile up.

Comparisons to other rookies in her class—particularly Caitlin Clark, who has flourished as the Fever’s primary playmaker—have only added fuel to the fire. While Clark’s scoring and assists have propelled Indiana into playoff contention, Reese’s contributions have been less statistically dazzling, leading to questions about whether Chicago’s system is maximizing her strengths. Some analysts have suggested that Reese would benefit from a more defined offensive role rather than being asked to create much of her own offense, as she often has this season.

Defensively, Reese’s rebounding has been solid, but her rim protection and lateral quickness have been exposed at times against more experienced WNBA post players. Boston’s 22-point, 10-rebound performance on Tuesday was a reminder of the physicality and skill Reese must adapt to at this level. “It’s a different game up here,” Reese admitted afterward. “In college, I could outwork people for rebounds and buckets. Here, everyone is strong, everyone is smart. I have to adjust.”

The Sky’s next opportunity to turn things around comes Friday against the Atlanta Dream, another team fighting to stay in the playoff race. For Reese, it’s another chance to quiet the doubters and prove she can be the franchise player Chicago envisioned when they drafted her. But with each loss, the narrative around her rookie season risks being defined more by struggles than breakthroughs.

Whether this is merely a rough transition or a sign of deeper issues remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Angel Reese is under a microscope—and how she responds could shape not only her career but the future of the Chicago Sky.