Chicago Sky Implode on National TV: A New Low Point in a Disastrous Season

If you tuned into the Chicago Sky’s latest game against the Phoenix Mercury expecting a competitive contest, you were met with one of the most disastrous performances in recent league memory. From the opening tip, the Mercury rained down three-pointers, burying the Sky’s hopes early and often, while Chicago’s embattled coach Tyler Marsh waved the white flag in full view of a national audience.

A Game — and a Team — in Crisis

By the second half, it was clear this wasn’t just a bad game; it was a full-blown collapse. Marsh benched all his starters not long into the third quarter, essentially conceding defeat as the Mercury torched the nets. Fans watching in disbelief saw the scoreboard balloon to 102–78 late in the contest and eventually close at 104–86.

On court, frustration and confusion reigned. Camila Cardoso was the lone bright spot for Chicago, delivering an efficient 17 points on 77.8% shooting. Angel Reese, meanwhile, only attempted a single field goal, finishing with nine points — mostly on free throws — and managing just two rebounds and two assists. Marsh’s rotation decisions, especially sitting his rebound machine Reese, left many scratching their heads. How does your hardest-working player — fresh off a triple-double — become an afterthought in the game plan, especially when the only thing keeping you competitive is your effort on the glass?

“Throw the Damn Towel!”

The feeling around the Sky bench came straight out of a Rocky movie — only this time, there was no comeback. “He threw in the damn towel,” as fans seethed and called for Marsh’s firing. Starter after starter found the pine, and the national TV broadcast caught the sea of empty seats as fans made for the exits.

Social media wasn’t any kinder: “Chicago Sky getting beat on national TV four times is nasty work,” declared one user. Others wondered if the coach was way over his head or secretly tanking for a better draft pick: “Chicago coach is either incompetent or throwing games. Interesting.”

Ugly Numbers and Uglier Optics

The team’s performance from deep was, frankly, pathetic. The Mercury dropped 16 threes — the third time this season the Sky have allowed that many or more, a feat the rest of the league has only matched three times total all year.

On offense, the Sky couldn’t hit water from a boat. Angel Reese was nowhere near the boards, bizarrely parked at point forward. When she did shoot, the WNBA’s own Twitter page risked mockery to share the highlight–a made three-pointer that, as one observer put it, was “one of the ugliest shots you’ve ever seen in your life.” She made it, sure, but even fans saw it as a lone bright spot in a sea of futility.

Other contributors disappeared. Haley Van Lith went 1-for-5, Kia Nurse 2-for-8, and the rest of the roster offered nothing to stop the bleeding. How the Sky continue to end up on national broadcasts is a mystery in itself.

Blame, Frustration — and a Fanbase at the End of Its Rope

As the fourth quarter limped to a close, the chorus was deafening: “Fire the coach!” “Angel Reese looks like she’s part of the problem, not just the victim!” “Tyler Marsh is sabotaging the Sky!” Even those not generally fans of Reese pointed out that the one thing she does consistently well—rebounding—was neutralized by coaching decisions.

And for all the focus on development and patience with a young team, what viewers saw instead was a Sky squad with no offense, no defense, and no fight. “This was a crushing, drubbing, abomination,” said commentators, and with the rest of the league passing them by, it’s hard to argue.

Where Does Chicago Go From Here?

If there’s a silver lining, it’s in acknowledging just how bad things have gotten—because rock bottom forces change. The Sky have the talent, including Reese and Cardoso, but there’s no system, no spark, and now, no fan patience.

Suggestions of “tanking” are being whispered louder. Still, the reality is starker: bad basketball, questionable coaching, angry fans, and a franchise quickly losing its footing both competitively and in the public eye.

Unless ownership and management act decisively, don’t be surprised if empty seats and ugly losses become the new normal in Chicago. For Sky fans, this can only be described as disastrous—and for the team, as a wake-up call.

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