Angel Reese’s United Center Nightmare: A Turning Point in the WNBA’s Rookie Rivalry

On a night meant to showcase the next generation of WNBA stars, the spotlight burned brightest in the wrong way for Angel Reese. In a primetime game at the NBA’s largest arena, the United Center—carefully moved by the league to deliver maximum exposure—Reese suffered through what many are calling the worst performance of her young pro career. Instead of rising to the moment, the self-proclaimed “star” was eclipsed by her own struggles and a surging Indiana Fever squad that proved their depth runs deeper than any single player, even with Caitlin Clark sidelined by injury.

Reese’s rough outing, a mere four points on 2-of-7 shooting with 12 rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes, coincided with a team-wide collapse that left the Chicago Sky on the wrong end of a 27-point blowout and the harsh scrutiny of a nationally televised audience. Perhaps most revealing, this came against a Fever squad missing not only their prodigious rookie Clark but also veteran Sophie Cunningham and head coach Stephanie White.

The Price of Star Power

In the run-up to tipoff, the business of basketball offered a harsh reality check. Sky ticket prices, which hovered at a premium in anticipation of the Reese vs. Clark rematch, plummeted to as low as $3 the moment Clark was officially ruled out. Instead of the “Reese effect” filling seats, the secondary market crash exposed a difficult truth: basketball fans still flock in droves for Clark, while Reese’s supposed drawing power falters without her rival on the court.

This commercial reality played out sharply in the larger-than-life United Center. A season-high crowd for the Sky filed in, but many fans and critics noted the atmosphere was more muted than electric, with chatter revolving around who wasn’t playing (Clark) rather than the pregame catwalk (Reese’s flashy outfit) or supposed rising stars.

Under the Brightest Lights

Statistically, it wasn’t just a bad game for Reese—it was a historic low. Her four-point night was overrun by a string of defensive and offensive miscues: missed layups, getting blocked, and turnovers that drew groans from the crowd. While Chicago as a whole failed to find a rhythm, scrounging only 52 points (their lowest total since 2011), all eyes—and disappointment—fell upon Reese. She spent stretches of the game visibly frustrated, unable to impose her will on either end.

As ESPN and social media quickly pointed out, Clark, even while injured, holds a bigger spotlight. She’s averaging more assists per game than Reese is points in her rookie season. The contrast is fuel for critics convinced Reese has yet to show she can lead under pressure, especially when stripped of co-stars or a favorable matchup.

Pattern of Struggles

This isn’t an isolated issue: it marks the continuation of an alarming trend for Reese against Indiana. In their last two meetings—the Sky have lost to the Fever by a combined 62 points. In both cases, Reese was largely neutralized, unable to turn her signature rebounding and intensity into momentum-shifting plays. Notably, her adversarial tactics against Clark earlier in the season have repeatedly backfired, with the Fever only growing more comfortable and confident.

The storyline isn’t just about individual stat lines. Reese’s high-profile confidence on social media (including avoiding the mention of Clark by name in postgame quotes) has increasingly become a focus for criticism. Pundits and fans alike question whether the focus on branding and image has come at the expense of basketball improvement—an argument inflamed each time she falters in marquee matchups.

Watch Video:

Indiana Proves It’s More Than Clark

The Fever, meanwhile, silenced doubts about their depth and resilience. Even without three key pieces, Indiana moved the ball with authority—posting 20 assists on 27 made field goals—and out-rebounded the league’s top second-chance team, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 17 points, Arie McDonald’s 12 off the bench, and Aaliyah Boston’s all-around contributions.

Interim coach Austin Kelly credited the victory to defensive focus: “We set the tone from the jump and never looked back.” The Fever locked down on Sky scorers, holding the starters to a paltry 8-for-29 night and keeping Reese out of the paint and off-balance. No Chicago player reached double figures.

A Rivalry, Rewritten

Women’s basketball has benefited enormously from the narrative tension between Clark and Reese—a tension first cemented in their dramatic 2023 NCAA Tournament showdown. But the outcome of this latest primetime contest revised the terms of engagement: right now, it’s not much of a rivalry at all.

Without Clark, the Fever demonstrated star power comes from team accomplishment more than individual hype. The Sky, and Reese in particular, were left searching for answers, their plans of a statement night disintegrating as attendance, energy, and execution all cratered.

What Does This Mean for Reese—and the Sky?

This isn’t a closed chapter for Reese—rookie years are notoriously turbulent, and she retains enormous potential. But the on-court evidence so far is at odds with her off-court persona. Critics are calling not just for better performances but for authentic leadership—a willingness to own tough nights and grow from them, not just outshine in the media or pregame rituals.

The deeper wound for Chicago is a structural one. Scorelines and ticket sales both indicate the franchise—and its supposed franchise player—still ride in the slipstream of greater forces: the Clark Effect, the allure of a real championship contender, and the pressure to provide not just spectacle but substance.

Where Do We Go from Here?

With Clark set for re-evaluation soon, Chicago will get another shot at regaining relevance when these teams meet again. For Reese, the message is clear: the spotlight is merciless and the margin for error, especially for those who claim “star” status, is razor-thin in the WNBA. Big stages don’t just reveal talent—they expose weaknesses.

If Angel Reese is going to live up to her self-ascribed legend, she’ll need to find ways to lead by more than bravado, to elevate her play and her team especially when the lights—and the critics—are brightest. The Indiana Fever, meanwhile, have proven they’re ready for prime time, with or without the biggest names on the marquee. If you think the best of this rivalry is yet to come, keep watching—because in the WNBA, showdowns like these are just getting started.