Last night’s 38-point drubbing at the hands of the Indiana Fever felt more like a public execution than a basketball game, as the Chicago Sky fell 112–74 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

From tip-off, Angel Reese seemed ill-prepared, missing her first five shots and coughing up the ball multiple times. The young forward’s body language went from frustrated to despondent, culminating in a fourth-quarter sit-out that drew understandable jeers from the crowd.

The margin of defeat was Chicago’s worst in franchise history, and Reese’s performance quickly became the lightning rod for fan fury.

Through three quarters, the Fever dominated every facet of play. Indiana’s guards penetrated at will, forcing help and leaving open shooters along the arc, while defensive rebounds practically begged to be grabbed. Angel Reese, usually the team’s energy source, was nowhere to be found on the glass, collecting only two rebounds in 28 minutes.

Offensively, she managed just four points on 2-for-9 shooting, both of her makes coming late in garbage time. The Sky’s bench unit never clicked, but it was Reese’s absence from both ends of the floor that defined the collapse.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, social media was ablaze. A clip of Reese angrily flinging her warm-ups toward the bench in the third quarter sparked outrage, with fans questioning her heart and dedication.

In the Sky’s postgame huddle, she stood apart, head down, as veteran teammates tried to offer encouragement. Analysts seized on her five turnovers—each leading directly to easy transition buckets for Indiana—as proof that she’s not yet ready for the spotlight.

Twitter ground to a halt under the weight of hashtags like #WorstEverReese and #FireReeseNow. Memes circulated endlessly, including one that compared her stat line to notoriously bad performances by players who later faded into obscurity. A popular clip spliced footage of her brick-fest with a caption reading, “When hype meets reality.”

The collective sentiment was brutal: a number of fans boldly declared her the worst professional player in WNBA history. While undeniably harsh, the reaction underscored how quickly expectations can sour when a high-profile rookie struggles.

On sports talk radio and highlight shows, pundits joined the chorus. One nationally syndicated host quipped, “She might have a poster of Caitlin Clark in her room, but right now, Angel’s playing like she’s never hit a hoop before.”

Another former WNBA star labeled the outing “an absolute collapse of confidence.” Analysts pointed to her defensive lapses as especially troubling, noting that her trademark hustle had vanished. For a player whose identity is built around rebounding and second-effort plays, the absence of either was alarming.

Even some of Reese’s allies offered critique. Dawn Staley, speaking in a sideline interview, admitted she was surprised by Angel’s quiet demeanor when the game turned sour.

“Part of being a pro is showing up for your teammates, even when things aren’t going well,” Staley noted. “Angel’s got the tools, but she needs to bring that motor every single night.” While not explicitly calling her the worst ever, the subtext was clear: a one-game legend is a myth, and consistency is everything.

Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon addressed the media with measured disappointment. “This was not the standard we hold ourselves to,” she said. “Angel’s had moments this season where she showcased the talent that made her such a coveted pick.

Tonight wasn’t one of them. We’ll watch the film, correct what went wrong, and move forward.” Pressed on Reese’s role, Weatherspoon emphasized development and process over immediate judgment: “She’s still learning the pro game, but accountability applies to everyone.”

Historical context didn’t spare Reese. Statisticians dug up box scores from the WNBA’s 27-year history, highlighting only a handful of comparable single-game slumps by rookies.

Some pointed to Angel McCoughtry’s rocky debut season or Iris Ware’s struggles in the mid-’90s, yet concluded that none came with this level of hype and national scrutiny. In an era of greater media coverage, social platforms and highlight clips, Reese’s mistakes were magnified in real time, leaving little room for a quiet learning curve.

Angel’s draft night was a spectacle: national broadcast, viral cheers, glowing projections of her becoming the next big star. Her college career at LSU, crowned by a national championship and multiple rebounding titles, set sky-high expectations.

Beyond the court, her outgoing personality and social media savvy positioned her as a future face of the league. Brands and fans alike queued up endorsement deals and NIL partnerships, banking on her continued ascension from college phenom to WNBA superstar.

Now, those endorsement conversations have stalled. Marketing executives are reportedly “concerned” about equity partners asking pointed questions after last night’s meltdown. While still under contract through next season, Reese’s marketability could take a hit if she doesn’t reverse course swiftly.

Rival teams are preparing scouting reports branding her as a liability—ultra-embedded scouting notes read “Prone to confidence breaks” and “Needs guard support when switched.” It’s a brutal professional milieu where yesterday’s hype has little protection against today’s stats.

In her postgame locker-room interview, Reese looked pained but contrite. “I’m embarrassed,” she admitted. “I’ve got to do better for my team and for our fans. I’m going to get back in the gym and work.”

She declined to elaborate on specifics, instead promising that her response would come through improved performance. Several teammates rallied around her, citing her work ethic in practice and insisting that one rough outing would not define her career.

Looking ahead, the Sky face a tough back-to-back set against two playoff contenders. Reese’s minutes may be closely monitored, as the coaching staff deliberates between protecting her confidence and forcing her to regain her rhythm.

Off nights happen, even for future Hall of Famers, but how she and the team handle this slump will shape her rookie narrative. A bounce-back performance could flip the script; another meltdown might cement her reputation as a high-risk bust.

At the end of the day, Angel Reese remains a work in progress—an athlete with superstar potential trying to find her footing at the highest level. Last night’s loss was catastrophic, and while fan outrage may have overreached by branding her the worst ever, it underscored the unforgiving nature of pro sports.

Redemption stories thrive in adversity, and if Reese can channel this criticism into motivation, the Sky—and her own legacy—could still soar above the storm. Until then, the WNBA world will watch, wait, and remember the night Angel’s rookie shine came under fire like never before.