NBC Commentator Back Tyler Marsh for Sky Locker Room Comments Amidst Angel Reese Fuelling Rift Rumors

What was expected to be a step forward from last season’s 13–27 finish hasn’t gone according to plan for the Chicago Sky. With only nine wins so far this season, the pressure has been mounting on Tyler Marsh. On Wednesday, the Sky faced the Connecticut Sun — the very team that knocked them out of playoff contention last year. But this time, there was a different storyline tied to the matchup. One surrounding Angel Reese.

“I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players… if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me.” Those were strong words from Angel Reese that quickly took the internet by storm. Given the season she had — leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists — she may have felt entitled to speak her mind. Still, one could argue a different approach might have carried the same weight without ruffling as many feathers.

After Reese’s comments made waves, reporter Annie Costabile noted via Front Office Sports that some of her teammates weren’t too happy. The forward questioning whether Courtney Vandersloot’s age and the abilities of Rachel Banham and Hailey Van Lith truly fit a playoff-level roster prompted a team meeting. Moreover, Reese had also noted that the HC needed to coach harder. So it’s clear the tension in Chicago is real, but if you’re Tyler Marsh, you’ve at least got to feel some relief knowing not everyone’s against you.

In the game against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, Lisa Byington voiced her support for Marsh during these tough times. She said, “Tyler Marsh, I thought, had some really compelling comments about the attitude of this locker room. He said, ‘We come to work every day. If you want proof, if you want evidence of the buy-in from this team, from this franchise, look at what they do day in and day out.’ Now, that might not always result in wins, especially with the injuries they’ve been dealing with, but the work ethic is there. He even mentioned that they had one of their best practice sessions just a couple of days ago.”

This was Tyler Marsh’s first job as a head coach, so no one expected him to deliver a championship right away. Still, many believed the Sky had enough to be a playoff contender, especially after a busy offseason that brought in big names like Ariel Atkins and Courtney Vandersloot. But injuries quickly derailed those hopes, leaving Chicago fighting an uphill battle all year.

Angel Reese herself missed 10 games this season, and she wasn’t the only absence. Courtney Vandersloot was ruled out for the year with an ACL injury, Ariel Atkins has missed multiple games due to a leg issue, and now Hailey Van Lith is sidelined with a knee injury. Safe to say, it’s been anything but smooth sailing for the Chicago Sky.

Regardless, the coach has always vouched for a ‘never give up attitude’ to finish the season strong with what they have. And you see it reflected in his players. After a 4-game losing streak, the Chicago Sky did manage to grab a statement win against the Connecticut Sun, cruising to a 24-point victory to notch their 10th of the season. But that high came with some tough news.

Chicago Sky lose Angel Reese for the game in Indiana

In the win against the Sun, Angel Reese led the way for the Sky with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Despite a tough shooting night at 4-of-14 from the field, it wasn’t her stat line that had everyone talking. Instead, it was her run-in with Aaliyah Edwards that ended up stealing the spotlight from Chicago’s impressive performance.

Before halftime, Reese picked up her eighth technical of the season after a minor tussle with Aaliyah Edwards in the paint. The call now triggers an automatic one-game suspension, ruling her out of the Sky’s next matchup against the Fever. Not exactly the scenario anyone wanted—especially the fans, who were eager to see Reese take the court against the Fever.

While the season might already be over for the Sky, Reese’s comments came as a real shock. Sure, fans had criticized the coach and players before, but no one expected Reese to openly call out her own team. Her future in Chicago now feels uncertain, though many fans are still hoping she stays. That said, if she does move on, it wouldn’t be the first time a Sky superstar has walked away–Elena Delle Donne and Sylvia Fowles did it before her.