For weeks, murmurs had been building. The stats weren’t pretty. The body language was off. But still, few expected this: Angel Reese — one of the most hyped rookies to enter the WNBA in years — has officially been removed from the Chicago Sky’s starting lineup.

To many fans, the move came out of nowhere. But to those paying close attention, this decision may have been months in the making.

Now, new details are emerging. And they paint a picture of frustration, fractured relationships, and a rookie season unraveling in real time.

The Numbers Never Lie — But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Reese’s adjustment to the pros hasn’t been smooth. Despite flashes of brilliance, her shooting percentages have been inconsistent at best. Through her first 12 games, she averaged 9.2 points and 6.1 rebounds on 35% shooting — a far cry from her dominant LSU days.

Worse, sources inside the organization say her on-court struggles aren’t the only issue.

“There’s just been tension,” one insider close to the team told WNBA Watch. “It’s not just the missed layups. It’s about attitude, communication, accountability.”

Reese’s fiery energy — once her greatest asset — has, at times, reportedly boiled over into frustration that teammates found difficult to navigate. According to multiple people familiar with the situation, she’s had more than one heated exchange in practice. And while no one questions her desire to win, her methods have, at times, rubbed others the wrong way.

Behind Closed Doors: Fractures in the Locker Room

What happened behind the scenes may be even more telling than what played out on the court.

Sources say that tensions had been building for weeks, particularly between Reese and some veteran players on the team. One longtime league observer noted that the Sky’s locker room “feels split” — with younger players navigating fame, brand deals, and social media buzz, while veterans focus strictly on performance and cohesion.

“There’s a culture clash going on,” the observer said. “Some of the vets feel like Angel’s priorities are divided — like she’s still in ‘college star’ mode. And the coaching staff? They’re caught in the middle.”

Several team meetings reportedly grew “intense” in late May, as frustrations mounted over team chemistry and defensive breakdowns. Reese, who’s never been afraid to speak her mind, allegedly challenged coaching decisions more than once — something that didn’t sit well with Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon.

“Coach Spoon loves passion,” one insider said. “But she demands respect, too. And lately, there’s been a breakdown there.”

The Decision to Bench Her — and the Fallout

The official decision to move Reese to the bench came after a brutal 72-58 home loss to the Connecticut Sun, during which Reese went 2-for-9 from the field and was visibly frustrated on the bench in the fourth quarter.

Weatherspoon addressed the move in a post-practice interview:

“Angel’s still a vital part of this team. But right now, we’re trying to find combinations that give us the best shot to compete every night. That’s all this is about — team success.”

But few are buying that explanation at face value.

Less than 24 hours later, a report from The Athletic cited “mounting internal concerns” about Reese’s focus, work ethic, and interactions with coaching staff.

Another WNBA executive, speaking on background, described the situation as “delicate.”

“She’s a franchise-level talent,” they said. “But the league is watching closely to see how she handles this moment. Because this will define her more than any highlight reel ever could.”

Fans React — and Social Media Explodes

As news of the benching spread, social media lit up with divided reactions. Reese, who boasts more than 3.5 million followers across platforms, found herself trending within minutes.

Some fans rallied behind her:

“Angel Reese has done more for the game than half the league combined. This is politics, not performance.”

Others were more critical:

“You can’t talk the talk and then underperform every night. Welcome to the big leagues.”

And some couldn’t help but connect the dots between her removal and rising tensions in the league around rookie stars, media narratives, and locker room dynamics.

“This isn’t just about basketball,” one fan tweeted. “It’s about old guard vs. new energy. And Angel’s caught in the crossfire.”

Is Chicago Already Exploring Exit Options?

Perhaps the most explosive rumor to emerge: the Sky may be quietly exploring options to trade Reese — or at least open the door to those conversations.

One league insider told Bleacher Report:

“They’re not shopping her. But they’re definitely listening.”

It’s a stunning development for a player who was once expected to be the face of the franchise. But with chemistry deteriorating, the front office may be preparing for tough conversations.

Adding fuel to the fire? Reese’s agency — which also manages several top-tier NBA stars — reportedly requested a private sit-down with the Sky’s leadership team next week. While officially described as a “status check-in,” insiders suspect the meeting may be far more consequential.

The Bigger Picture — and What Happens Next

Angel Reese entered the league with swagger, pedigree, and the kind of star power WNBA marketing executives dream about. Her college career at LSU wasn’t just dominant — it was historic. She redefined what it meant to be a young woman of color in the national sports spotlight: unapologetically bold, stylish, and loud.

But the pros are a different game.

The WNBA demands precision, maturity, and unity — traits that aren’t always built overnight. And while Reese’s potential remains sky-high, the path to superstardom just got a whole lot steeper.

“Every young player hits a wall,” said Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes. “What matters is how you respond to it. Will you grind harder? Will you listen? Will you lead — even when you’re on the bench?”

For now, Reese remains benched. But no one — not teammates, not coaches, not fans — expects her to stay quiet for long.

Her next move could shape not just her own future, but the narrative arc of an entire WNBA season.

Closing Thoughts

This moment isn’t the end of Angel Reese’s story — but it may be the start of its most critical chapter.

In a league hungry for attention, divided by culture clashes, and desperate for generational icons to break through, the pressure on Reese is unprecedented.

Can she rewrite the script? Or is this the cautionary tale we never saw coming?

One thing’s for sure: the world is watching.