The Chicago Sky entered the 2025 WNBA season with sky-high expectations. With rookie phenom Angel Reese and powerhouse center Kamilla Cardoso anchoring the frontcourt, fans anticipated a breakout year. Instead, just two games in, the dream is disintegrating—and the implosion is playing out in real time.

The moment that lit the fuse happened on national TV. During a pivotal play against the New York Liberty, Reese went up for yet another contested shot. Instead of passing to a wide-open Cardoso under the basket, she forced the attempt—and missed. As cameras rolled, Cardoso’s reaction was unmistakable. She turned away. Visibly frustrated. Clearly done.

It wasn’t just a poor play. It was a statement.

Reese had a brutal night. Zero for eight from the field. Twelve rebounds, but most of them coming from her own missed shots. Two points in 27 minutes. Fans dubbed it one of the worst performances of her short professional career.

But this wasn’t about stats—it was about chemistry, or the lack thereof.

Cardoso, reportedly promised a dominant paint presence under new leadership, has instead been left waiting. Game after game, she’s found herself open but ignored. Her growing frustration has boiled over into visible disinterest. In one clip, she literally walks away from an active play toward the opposing team’s bench.

“Can I switch jerseys?” one fan joked. But the laughter masked a serious question: is Cardoso done trying?

Insiders say the tension has been brewing for weeks. During a recent timeout, Cardoso was seen placing a firm hand on Reese’s shoulder and speaking intently to head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Some interpret the move as a plea for change. Others, as a final warning.

Meanwhile, Reese’s struggles have gone from technical to emotional. The confident rookie who stormed into the league proclaiming “this season is mine” has found herself at the center of controversy. Online, she’s been accused of chasing headlines more than high-percentage shots. Her rivalry with Caitlin Clark, while drawing eyeballs, may also be distracting her from building real chemistry with her teammates.

And the numbers aren’t helping. Chicago currently holds the worst point differential through two games in WNBA history—minus 60. They’re not just losing. They’re getting embarrassed.

Fans are already turning. Reddit threads, Twitter rants, and YouTube breakdowns are slicing apart the Sky’s performances. Assistant coach Tyler Marsh, once praised for his vision, is now being blamed for mismanaging talent. One meme shows Cardoso sitting on the Liberty bench mid-game, another highlights Reese’s shot chart—an ugly scatter of missed attempts.

Veteran voices are speaking up, too. Point guard Courtney Vandersloot didn’t mince words: “A lot of them are just dumb plays… we haven’t found a rhythm yet.” She even called out the coaching staff, saying, “We don’t know how to position our post players properly.” That’s a not-so-subtle nod to Cardoso’s quiet disappearance in the offense.

Even more damning? The contrast across the league.

While the Sky melt down, Caitlin Clark is thriving. The Indiana Fever are bouncing back from a rocky start, playing smart, unified basketball. Clark, criticized early on, is letting her game speak louder than her persona. Her teammates trust her. They pass. They cut. They defend. They win.

Meanwhile in Chicago, Angel Reese says, “We’re family. We’ll get past this.” But the body language on the court tells a different story. One of resentment, distrust, and disappointment.

Cardoso’s snub wasn’t just a moment—it was a message. A signal that the Chicago Sky, just two games in, are already on the verge of collapse.

The season is still young. There’s time to regroup. But it will take more than press conferences and Instagram captions. It’ll take accountability, adjustments, and most importantly—teamwork.

Because if this continues, the Sky won’t just fall short of expectations. They’ll crash.