According to multiple sources close to the team, tensions boiled over in the Sky locker room last weekend after head coach Teresa Weatherspoon made the bold decision to start Angel Reese during critical minutes in favor of the emerging Brazilian center.
The result? A seemingly animated outburst from Reese, confusion among teammates, and a WNBA-wide debate about whether the league’s most polarizing rookie is now facing the biggest turning point of her young career.
“Angel Reese just got a taste of how quickly this league can humiliate you,” one league executive told Fox Sports Angle .
“She came in as the face of the franchise. Now she doesn’t even close games.”
The bench’s decision that shook the room
This happened during the second half of the Sky vs. Dallas Wings game.
Reese had struggled early – two quick fouls, a missed layup and a building frustration. Meanwhile, Kamilla Cardoso, the 6’7” force from South Carolina, dominated inside – controlling the glass, defending the paint and converting key baskets.
With 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter and the sky trailing by six, Coach Weatherspoon turned to his bench.
Reese didn’t return.
Cardoso stayed down – and helped spark a comeback victory.
And that’s where the real drama began.
Locker room explosion reported
According to two team sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, Reese was “visibly furious” after the game.
“She threw down her towel. She walked past the coaching staff. She wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone,” a source said.
Another source added:
“She wasn’t just mad. She felt embarrassed. And when Angel feels disrespected, she doesn’t hold back.”
Teammates reportedly tried to calm her down. But the atmosphere in the locker room was icy. Reese declined to speak to the media, and the team issued only a brief statement:
“We manage rotations based on game flow. We support all our players.”
The Deeper Story: A Power Shift in the Sky
While this may seem like a one-match incident, league insiders say it reflects a much deeper building of tension within the Sky organization.
Reese has been heavily marketed this offseason as the new face of the franchise.
She received the spotlight, the recommendations and the media push.
But Cardoso, with fewer headlines but stronger on-field consistency, is quickly becoming the anchor of the team’s identity.
“Kamilla plays with composure, confidence, and control,” said a WNBA scout.
“She doesn’t need the camera—she owns the lane.”
Fan Reactions: “Reese got benched – and Cardoso took his place”
Social media exploded after the match, with many fans getting back at the coach:
“Reese outdid himself. So simple, too.”
“Cardoso is the future. Angel needs to earn his minutes now.”
“This league doesn’t care about your academic reputation. Produce or sit out.”
Others were more sympathetic:
“Heaven threw an angel under the bus. That’s not leadership.”
“You don’t put your star in to make a point – you train it.”
But perhaps the most telling comment came from former WNBA All-Star Pondexter, who posted:
“This league moves fast. Either you evolve… or it evolves without you.”
Reese’s Recent Struggles
The numbers tell part of the story:
Last 3 matches:
6.2 PPG
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4 fouls per match
Shooting less than 35% from the field
Reese’s energy and defense have remained strong, but his offensive efficiency and decision-making have drawn criticism.
Meanwhile, Cardoso is averaging a double-double in just 24 minutes per game.
Sky coach breaks his silence
On Tuesday morning, coach Teresa Weatherspoon addressed the situation publicly for the first time.
“It’s about team basketball. Angel is a great talent – ββand she’s learning. Kamilla had it, so we stayed with the hot hand.”
When asked if Reese’s reaction concerned her, Weatherspoon replied:
“These are the pros. It’s emotional. What matters is how you react.”
The WNBA media machine reacts
As the story grew, major outlets like ESPN, Bleacher Report, and FS1 picked it up – with divided opinions.
Skip Bayless:
“This is what happens when the hype doesn’t match the production.”
Shannon Sharpe:
“Let the young woman grow up. This league is eating into its own space too quickly.”
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“Angel Reese is being scrutinized in a way that her white counterparts aren’t. Let’s talk about that.”
What happens now?
Reese’s status with the Sky isn’t in jeopardy yet.
But the rotation could shift, and his role may no longer be guaranteed.
Team insiders say management privately encouraged her to “refocus on film, defense and patience.”
His next chance to respond? A rematch this Friday against the very team that started the storm: the Dallas Wings.
Bigger picture: What this means for the league
The WNBA has relied heavily on rookies this season – using the Clark-Reese rivalry to drive engagement and revenue.
But what happens when one of these stars struggles – and the other loses their spot?
The league must now balance:
Authentic Basketball Merit
Marketing stories
And the emotional arcs of rising superstars who aren’t used to sitting still
If not handled carefully, the result could fracture the dressing room – and frustrate the fans.
final thought: reality has just caught up
Angel Reese has always played with fire.
Now the fire has turned inward.
Being benched isn’t the end of the world – but how she reacts may decide whether her celebrity survives the storm.
This isn’t LSU anymore.
This is the WNBA.
And the game waits for no one.
Not even Bayou Barbie.
