Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is in the midst of an impressive WNBA rookie season, posting strong numbers and setting multiple records with her dominant rebounding and double-double performances. Heading into Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, Reese was averaging 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game, making her one of the most impactful rookies in the league this year.
However, despite her standout performances on the boards, Reese has faced some challenges with her shooting. Prior to Friday’s game, she was converting just 38.4 percent of her field goal attempts and a mere 15.4 percent from beyond the arc. Opposing defenses have taken note of her shooting struggles and have been more willing to give her space to shoot, hoping to capitalize on her inconsistent scoring.
That strategy was evident during Friday’s Sky vs. Sparks game when Reese found herself wide open for a jump shot. With no defender in sight, she launched the shot but came up short — way short — missing the basket entirely with an airball. The wide-open miss quickly made waves on social media.
A video clip of the play posted by “BricksCenter” on X (formerly Twitter) garnered 23,000 views in less than an hour. The viral moment didn’t stop there, as other popular accounts like “Hater Report,” which boasts 105,000 followers, also shared the clip. “Angel nooooo,” Hater Report captioned the video, which had already racked up 26,000 views in the same time frame. While Reese often goes viral for her record-breaking stats, moments like this show how the occasional lowlight can also gain attention.
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Chicago has been in a rough patch as well, entering Friday’s game on a seven-game losing streak, which dropped their season record to 11-22. Despite their struggles, the Sky are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, holding onto the eighth and final playoff position. Under the WNBA’s format, the top eight teams make the postseason regardless of conference, so Chicago still controls its fate as the regular season winds down.
With just six games left after the matchup against the Sparks, the Sky are running out of time to turn things around.
While Reese’s shooting woes have been highlighted, her rebounding and energy remain crucial if Chicago hopes to secure a postseason berth.
