The Chicago Sky are facing a challenging start to the 2025 WNBA season, marked by on-court struggles and potential locker room issues. After a crushing 79-52 defeat at the hands of the Indiana Fever, the Sky's record dropped to 2-5. This loss was particularly disheartening as it occurred at the United Center, marking the first WNBA game in the venue's history, and against a Fever team without star player Caitlin Clark.

Adding to the team's woes, veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the game, a significant blow to the Sky's leadership and offensive capabilities. Head coach Tyler Marsh acknowledged Vandersloot's importance, stating, "She's our engine. She's our captain, our leader out there."

The Sky's offensive struggles were evident in the game against the Fever, with no player scoring in double digits and the team shooting a dismal 32.1% from the field. Angel Reese, who had been averaging a double-double, had a particularly tough night, scoring just four points on 2-of-7 shooting. Despite grabbing 12 rebounds, her offensive output was far below expectations.

Adding fuel to the fire, a former teammate's comments have raised concerns about the locker room environment. While the specifics of these comments remain somewhat vague, they highlight potential issues with team chemistry and support. Angel Reese herself alluded to "behind-the-scenes challenges" during her inaugural season with the Sky in 2024, expressing that having teammates who "have your back" is the "most important thing." Further back in January, the Sky parted ways with Chennedy Carter, citing locker room issues as a contributing factor.

Despite the recent setbacks, Reese remains confident. After the Fever loss, she posted on Instagram, "I AM EXACTLY WHO I THINK I AM." While her scoring and rebounding numbers are down this season, she's averaging 9.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

The Sky's struggles have led to calls from some fans for the return of former player Chennedy Carter, who led the team in scoring last season but is now playing in Mexico. Fans have expressed frustration with the team's offensive struggles, with some directly calling on the Sky to "call Chennedy Carter" to improve their scoring.

Dwyane Wade, a minority owner of the Sky, expressed optimism about Angel Reese's potential to unify the team amid the ongoing challenges. He sees her as a figure of "unity and promise" who can steer the team toward cohesion and success.

The Sky's path forward involves addressing both on-court performance and potential off-court issues. With Vandersloot's injury, other players will need to step up and provide leadership. The team needs to find ways to improve its offensive efficiency and develop better team chemistry. Whether the Sky can overcome these challenges remains to be seen, but the team's resilience will be tested in the games and weeks to come.