Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky have had a disappointing start to their WNBA season, and after their latest defeat against the New York Liberty, questions are beginning to surface about the direction of a team that entered the year with postseason hopes.
In a conversation with the Chicago Sun-Times, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca addressed the team’s struggles and offered candid thoughts on how Reese can play a bigger role in helping the team reach its objectives.
Chicago Sky General Manager Admits He’s ‘Disappointed’ By Start To WNBA Season
After the Sky dropped to 2-6 on the season with a loss to the New York Liberty, general manager Jeff Pagliocca acknowledged that the team needs to improve “everywhere” if it wants to be a legitimate contender. He addressed the team’s rough start, which has included multiple blowout losses—some by 20 points or more—to opponents like the Indiana Fever.
“It’s a long season and there’s a lot of games left, but this is unexpected, and I’ve been very disappointed,” Pagliocca told the Chicago Sun-Times. “We had pretty big, significant expectations for this season. That’s why I made the moves I made,” he added, referencing offseason acquisitions such as veterans Courtney Vandersloot and Kia Nurse.
Pagliocca Opens Up About Angel Reese And Her Shooting
Pagliocca also addressed the performance of Angel Reese, 23, who has faced criticism this season for her shooting struggles—currently hitting just 36% on shots inside the arc.
Reese, who wrapped up her rookie campaign as the league’s top rebounder while averaging a double-double, has taken on an expanded role this season, spending more time on the perimeter rather than operating primarily in the paint. That adjustment has presented challenges for both Reese and the team.
“That’s something that has yet to come together, but it’s a necessity for us to win,” Pagliocca said. “She’s had some great games, and she’s had others, like everyone, where she hasn’t been at her best. But she gives us the most versatility on this roster. We need more production from her—but also for her to contribute in other ways.”
Fans Fire Back At Pagliocca Over Comments About Reese
On X, fans of the Chicago Sky pushed back against general manager Jeff Pagliocca’s remarks, questioning why he appeared to place blame on Angel Reese—who, by several measures, has been one of the team’s top performers in multiple games this season.
“Wasn’t Angel the player of the game \[three times]?” one user wrote. “I’m confused. She was the only one in double digits.”
Another echoed the sentiment, challenging Pagliocca’s expectations: “How does Jeff have big expectations for a year when he replaces the entire coaching staff and most of the roster, again? All this while heading into an offseason where the entire league is a \[free agent]?”
A third user criticized head coach Tyler Marsh for his handling of Reese’s offensive role, writing, “Tyler Marsh has no answer on how to get Angel going offensively. Chicago Sky’s organization is a dumpster fire.”
Pagliocca Touched on Angel Reese As A Teammate
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca also spoke highly of Angel Reese as both a player and a person, emphasizing her dedication and value to the team beyond the stat sheet.
“She’s been putting the time in,” he said. “She’s been a great teammate. She knows we need to use her in a variety of ways. We’re still trying to pinpoint the most advantageous part of that.”
Veteran teammate Ariel Atkins, an Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, voiced similar support during the Sky’s postgame press conference earlier this week. When a reporter asked Reese a question unrelated to basketball, Atkins stepped in to defend her.
“I’m sorry, can I? Can I say something?” Atkins said. “This is a 23-year-old kid. And the amount of crap that she gets on a day-to-day, she still shows up. So whatever questions y’all got, about our team, basketball-wise, we appreciate it. But all the other nonsense, it’s irrelevant.”
She added, “This is a 23-year-old kid who handles herself with grace… She knows who she is, and we ain’t gonna break her down for that. So whatever other questions y’all got, I’m hoping it’s just about basketball, maybe a box score question. But the kid’s crown is heavy—like, respect that.”
Angel Reese Acknowledges Her Own Struggles
After Ariel Atkins’ heartfelt defense, Angel Reese thanked her teammate and addressed the media herself, acknowledging the challenges she’s been facing on the court.
“I just focus on basketball. I come into work every day and work. I don’t complain, I don’t care about anything else,” Reese said. “I have bad days; I haven’t been playing well at all. I come in every day and try to be better than the last. I know my teammates trust me; I know they have my back.”
She added, “Everything else is everything else. I’m just here to come to work every day… and be able to enjoy my job.”
The Chicago Sky will look to bounce back in their next game against the Atlanta Dream on Friday, June 13, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
