The Chicago Sky faced a tough setback on Friday night, falling 88–70 to the Atlanta Dream after leading 39–38 at halftime and trailing by just four points entering the final quarter. This defeat marked their third consecutive loss, dropping the team to a 2–7 record this season. Angel Reese pivotal in Chicago Sky coaching controversy became a focal point following a benching decision that stirred widespread debate.
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso were the standout performers for Chicago, with Cardoso finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, while Reese contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Despite their efforts, the team’s late-game decline proved costly.
Coach Tyler Marsh’s Controversial Substitutions Ignite Criticism
Much of the postgame criticism targeted first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, who made the unexpected choice to bench most of his starters, including Angel Reese, with roughly five minutes left in the fourth quarter. This decision alarmed fans as it coincided with the team’s collapse in the closing minutes.
Rumors also circulated that Reese had asked to defend Atlanta’s forward Rhyne Howard, a matchup she had experience with during the offseason Unrivaled league. However, Marsh chose a different defensive approach. Howard responded with a dominant outing, scoring 36 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and providing four assists, while sinking nine three-pointers.
The coaching choices sparked a strong reaction on social media. A fan stated,
“Tyler Marsh is wasting the talents of Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese with terrible coaching,”
and another added,
“If it’s not broken don’t fix it. Why does Tyler Marsh have to always sub when not needed?”
Additional criticism included comments such as
“Tyler Marsh is the worst coach in the W!”
and
“Tyler Marsh killed the momentum of the game when he took Angel, Kamilla, and Rebecca Allen out at the same time,”
reflecting the frustration about the lineup adjustments late in the game.
One more fan expressed deep disappointment, saying,
“What [explicit] me off more about Tyler Marsh is he’ll see a lead at the start of the 4th quarter and he will take out the starters and just gives up. Where’s the fight!????!!!!!!!!!!!”
Angel Reese Responds with Support for Coach Despite Team’s Struggles
Amid the backlash, Angel Reese maintained a calm and professional stance, defending Coach Marsh and emphasizing the team’s shared responsibility in navigating their early challenges. Reese acknowledged Marsh’s status as a rookie coach and called for patience.
She said,
“We have to give Tyler grace because he’s a rookie coach, too. He’s the head coach, but it’s us on the floor,”
continuing,
“We have to look ourselves in the mirror and be patient with ourselves and continue to just grind. We don’t point the finger.”
Strong Camaraderie Between Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese
Beyond the on-court happenings and coaching controversies, the close connection between Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese continues to be a bright spot for the Chicago Sky. Their combined effort and teamwork underscore their importance to the team’s identity during this difficult stretch.
The Chicago Sky’s current struggles highlight the challenges facing Tyler Marsh’s coaching staff as they seek to find the right strategies and chemistry. The decisions made in moments of pressure, such as last Friday’s late substitutions, are likely to remain under scrutiny as the team aims to reverse their fortunes moving forward. How Marsh adjusts his rotation and how players like Reese and Cardoso respond on the court could be crucial in shaping the rest of the season at Gateway Center Arena in College Park.