The scoreboard at Target Center read 91-68, but the numbers only told part of the story. What unfolded on the hardwood Tuesday night was less a basketball game and more a public dismantling of the Chicago Sky’s season—and perhaps their very identity as a team.

The Minnesota Lynx didn’t just beat the Sky. They tore them apart, possession by possession, exposing flaws that have been simmering beneath the surface all season. From the opening tip, the Lynx played with the precision of a championship contender, controlling the pace, the paint, and—most importantly—the narrative. For the Sky, it was a nightmare in four quarters, punctuated by a staggering 23 turnovers and a performance that left fans and analysts alike wondering: Is it time for Chicago to hit the reset button?

A Franchise in Freefall

It’s no secret that Chicago has struggled this season. With just seven wins against sixteen losses, the Sky now sit four games out of playoff contention, trailing even the LA Sparks in the standings. But what happened against Minnesota felt like a new low. The Sky shot a paltry 39.3% from the field, struggled to string together meaningful possessions, and looked, at times, utterly lost against a Lynx squad that smelled blood from the opening whistle.

Minnesota, now 21-4 on the year, played like a team on a mission. Naphessa Collier and Kayla McBride each poured in 19 points, while Courtney Williams orchestrated the offense with seven assists and ten points of her own. The Lynx’s defense was suffocating, forcing Chicago into mistake after mistake, and their offense was a clinic in team basketball—smart cuts, crisp passes, and relentless energy.

Angel Reese: Star or Stumbling Block?

Much of the postgame conversation centered on Chicago’s rising star, Angel Reese. On paper, she extended her double-double streak with 11 points and 11 rebounds. But dig a little deeper, and the numbers tell a more troubling tale: nine turnovers, a career high, and a minus-19 plus-minus rating in just 27 minutes on the floor.

For a player billed as the franchise’s cornerstone, it was a performance that raised eyebrows across the league. Reese’s turnovers weren’t just the result of aggressive playmaking gone awry—they were fundamental breakdowns, from errant no-look passes to travels and forced entries from well beyond the arc. Each mistake seemed to sap the Sky’s momentum, turning potential runs into opportunities for Minnesota to extend their lead.

And then there was the technical foul—Reese’s seventh of the season, putting her just one away from an automatic suspension. It came after a minor verbal exchange with a former Maryland teammate, but it spoke volumes about her composure in high-pressure moments.

When the Star Sits, the Sky Shine?

Perhaps the most damning statistic of the night wasn’t on the box score. Observers noted that Chicago actually played better basketball when Reese was on the bench. The offense flowed more freely, ball movement improved, and players looked more comfortable making quick decisions rather than forcing plays through a single star.

It’s the kind of uncomfortable truth that no franchise wants to confront: Is their best-known player actually making the team worse? Reese’s ball-dominant style and turnover-prone play have begun to disrupt the offensive rhythm, leaving teammates standing around, waiting for something to happen. When she sits, the Sky look less predictable—and, at times, more competitive.

The Team Game vs. the Stat Sheet

The contrast between the two teams couldn’t have been clearer. While Reese hunted rebounds and padded her double-double streak, the Lynx thrived on unselfish, balanced basketball. Collier and McBride’s 19-point outings came within the flow of the offense, not through forced shots or stat-padding. Williams’ seven assists kept the ball moving, creating opportunities for everyone on the floor.

Minnesota’s defense, meanwhile, was relentless. They blocked eight shots, forced turnovers, and turned defense into easy offense. The Sky, missing their top perimeter scorer Ariel Atkins, looked disjointed and overmatched. Kia Nurse stepped up with 16 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome Chicago’s systemic issues.

Fundamental Flaws Exposed

This loss wasn’t just about one bad night. It was the culmination of deeper problems that have plagued Chicago all season: poor ball security, questionable decision-making, and an overreliance on individual talent at the expense of team chemistry. The Sky have become a cautionary tale about the dangers of building around stats instead of substance.

Reese’s double-doubles have masked weaknesses in her game—ball-handling, court vision, and composure under pressure. Critics are starting to wonder whether her individual accolades actually help the team win games. With 42 career double-doubles, she’s tied with Elena Delle Donne, but those numbers ring hollow when they come with costly mistakes and mounting losses.

Looking Ahead: Time for Change?

With the playoffs slipping further out of reach, the Sky face tough questions about their future. Is it time to rethink the offense? Should they consider trading Reese and building around a more balanced core? Or can the coaching staff find a way to harness her talents while minimizing the turnovers and technicals?

One thing is clear: the current formula isn’t working. Other teams have figured out how to exploit Chicago’s weaknesses, and unless something changes fast, the Sky risk falling even further behind in a competitive league.

The Verdict

Basketball is a team game, and the Lynx proved that in emphatic fashion. While Chicago’s star chased stats, Minnesota chased wins—and got them. For the Sky, the path forward is uncertain, but the message from this blowout is unmistakable: individual numbers mean little if they don’t translate to victories.

As the season enters its final stretch, Chicago must decide what kind of team they want to be. Will they continue to prioritize individual achievements, or will they finally address the elephant in the room and build a foundation for lasting success?

Fans, analysts, and maybe even the front office are all asking the same question: Is it time for the Sky to make a change?