The Chicago Sky’s 10th defeat of the WNBA season came amid increasing frustration, with star forward Angel Reese vocalizing the team’s struggles. On May 22, 2025, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, Reese’s impassioned address to her teammates drew attention to the mounting challenges faced by the Sky, as defensive lapses and critical third-quarter collapses deepened their crisis.

Despite early promising leads in games, the Sky have been unable to sustain momentum, with their third quarter emerging as a consistent point of failure. Last night’s 13-point loss underscored both tactical and psychological issues, leaving the Sky at a crossroads as they seek to reverse their fortunes under coach Tyler Marsh. Angel Reese’s plea was a wake-up call amid a season teetering on the edge.

Third-Quarter Meltdowns Undermine Chicago Sky’s Lead Preservation

The Chicago Sky’s ongoing inability to hold leads in the third quarter has become an alarming pattern that has cost them multiple games this season. Angel Reese lamented after a tough loss to the Washington Mystics,

“We were up most of the game, first quarter, second quarter, and our third quarters just haven’t been very strong.”

This weakness in the pivotal middle period has repeatedly allowed opponents to seize control and demoralize the team.

Examples pile up: Against the Phoenix Mercury on May 28, the Sky’s commanding 16-point lead was reduced to just four by the end of the third quarter. More recently, facing the Mystics, Chicago was outscored 24-12 in the third quarter, turning a close game into a definitive loss. These recurring lapses in focus and execution after halftime have increasingly defined Chicago’s season and frustrated fans and players alike.

Saturday’s contest against the Mercury showed the Sky’s fragility in stark relief. Already trailing by 12 points at halftime, Chicago’s defense allowed three consecutive three-pointers from Kathryn Westbeld, Kahleah Copper, and Monique Akoa Makani, inflating Phoenix’s lead to 21 points and swelling to 30 points with minutes still remaining in the quarter. This string of failures continued into Sunday, culminating in yet another defeat and widespread disappointment in the locker room.

Veteran Insights Reveal Determined Efforts to Reverse Decline

Despite the recurring issues, Chicago’s veteran players remain determined to address the team’s shortcomings, particularly in the crucial third quarter. After the narrow 90-83 loss against the Atlanta Dream, veteran center Elizabeth Williams, also known as E-Will, shared insights during the post-game interview on the team’s mindset and adjustments.

[The third quarter] was a point of emphasis for us. We know we’ve struggled in third quarters. And again, I think the mindset from the jump for the game, was a level focus. We took care of the ball today, we moved it, we’re communicating. We did a lot of things right today, especially in the third. And I think there was just an increased level of focus especially after how the last game went.

—Elizabeth Williams, Chicago Sky veteran center

Nonetheless, the game revealed the larger battle faced by Chicago: learning from past mistakes while combating teams that have collapsed late in games themselves. Atlanta’s back-to-back fourth-quarter foldings earlier in the season against the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics were well documented, but the Sky struggled to capitalize on these opportunities despite improved third-quarter performance. The quarter ended tied at 69 points, with Chicago eking out a narrow 24-23 advantage thanks to aggressive free-throw shooting (14-of-15). Even Atlanta’s head coach Karl Smesko acknowledged Chicago’s offensive pressure.

They were aggressive..they were attacking. We just had to make sure that we can guard without putting them at the foul line. … That kind of made the third quarter kind of tough.

—Karl Smesko, Atlanta Dream head coach

Ultimately, the Sky could not sustain this level defensively and fell to a 3-10 record. The loss added to a growing atmosphere of quiet desperation within Chicago’s locker room, raising critical questions about the team’s long-term viability in this season’s competitive landscape.

Perimeter Defense Weaknesses Amplify Chicago’s Woes

The Chicago Sky’s struggles extend beyond mental lapses, with glaring defensive flaws, especially on the perimeter, inviting relentless opponent shooting. Veteran teammate Elizabeth Williams highlighted this vulnerability when asked about the team’s defensive struggles.

Just running people off the line at this point,

Williams remarked, pointing toward a fundamental defensive adjustment the Sky must make.

I think teams make a lot of threes because they also shoot a lot of threes against us. So we have to adjust to that and knowing that teams are playing kind of outside in against us. So just a higher level of aggression running people off the line.

—Elizabeth Williams, Chicago Sky veteran center

This defensive shortcoming is reflected in statistics: opponents are attempting an average of 27.5 three-pointers per game against Chicago, the third highest in the league, and converting at an impressive 40%. Offensively, the Sky have also struggled to convert from beyond the arc, managing only about 30% success on their own attempts. This dual deficiency severely hampers Chicago’s ability to control games against modern WNBA competition, which increasingly emphasizes the three-point shot.

Unless the Sky can resolve this crisis at both ends of the court, their chances for a postseason resurgence appear slim. Angel Reese and the team face mounting pressure to adjust defensively and regain offensive firepower to avoid further defeats and the risk of fading out of playoff contention.

Looking Ahead: Can the Chicago Sky Overcome Persistent Challenges?

The 2025 season has positioned Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky in an anxious, precarious situation, with their 3-10 record highlighting persistent struggles rooted in defensive lapses and third-quarter collapses. The repeated pattern of losing momentum post-halftime has sapped morale and complicated any efforts toward rebuilding confidence.

Coach Tyler Marsh and his players must grapple with these ongoing issues if they are to alter their trajectory. Addressing the defensive perimeter weaknesses identified by veterans like Elizabeth Williams, coupled with renewed intensity in the crucial third quarter, will be essential steps. The Sky’s survival in the post-season may depend on their ability to internalize these lessons quickly and execute strategic improvements.

With Angel Reese’s leadership and growing urgency in the locker room, Chicago’s squad faces a critical juncture where every remaining game carries significant weight. How the Sky respond under pressure could define not only the remainder of their season but also the future direction of a franchise grappling to reclaim its former competitive stature.