The Chicago Sky’s recent suspension of Angel Reese sent shockwaves through the WNBA community. When a franchise player gets benched for “detrimental” comments about her own team, it signals problems that run deeper than wins and losses.
Now, one of the league’s most respected voices has weighed in on the controversy that’s defining Chicago’s disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
How Did Sophie Cunningham Respond to Angel Reese’s Team Criticism?
Speaking on her “Show Me Something” podcast, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham didn’t mince words when addressing Reese’s controversial comments. The suspension came after Reese publicly criticized the Sky’s disastrous run and hinted at a potential move, remarks the organization deemed harmful to team chemistry.
“No, that’s not great. And I get when you’re losing and it’s been a frustrating season, everyone is feeling those emotions,” Cunningham said. “And when I say everyone, it’s not just her. I’m sure her teammates feel it, her coaches feel it, the organization, the fans, like literally everyone feels that. There are just some things that you can’t say.”
Cunningham, who describes herself as a “team-first” person, emphasized the importance of handling frustrations internally rather than airing grievances publicly. Her message was clear: protect the locker room at all costs.
“You have to protect your locker room, and you just can’t be saying everything you’re feeling, because that is not a good look,” she explained. “Then your teammates feel a certain way, and that causes division in the locker room.”
What Does This Controversy Mean for the Sky’s Future?
The veteran guard stressed that certain conversations belong behind closed doors, not in media interviews. “You have to let the front office handle it,” Cunningham said. “You can have those conversations behind closed doors, but to say it in the media is kind of brutal.”
The fallout from Reese’s comments has been swift and costly. Although she later apologized, claiming her remarks were taken out of context, the damage was already done. The Sky suspended her for the first half of their game against the Las Vegas Aces, though a back injury ultimately kept her out of the entire contest.
Chicago’s struggles continued without their star forward. They lost that game to Las Vegas and dropped the following matchup as well, with the Aces delivering a dominant 92-61 victory.
The losses add to what has become a forgettable campaign for the Sky, who now sit at just 10 wins in 43 games and have missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season with Reese on the roster.
Meanwhile, Cunningham faces her own challenges as she watches the Fever’s playoff run from the sidelines. A devastating MCL injury prematurely ended her 2024-25 season, joining star teammates like Sydney Colson on the injured list.
Both Cunningham and Reese now face long offseasons filled with recovery and reflection. Whether they can return to lead their respective teams to championship contention in 2025-26 remains to be seen, but the lessons from this controversy will likely shape how both approach team dynamics moving forward.
