Sophie Cunningham criticizes Angel Reese after Sky playoff comments
Indiana Fever guard says teammates should be protected after Reese suggested she might leave Chicago following another missed postseason
Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, publicly criticized Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese for saying she might "have to move in a different direction" after the Sky missed the WNBA playoffs for a second straight season.
Reese later apologized to her teammates, saying she "really didn't intentionally mean to put down my teammates, because they've been through this with me throughout the whole year." Cunningham addressed Reese's comments on the "Show Me Something" podcast with Bravo personality West Wilson, saying there are "some things that you can't say" and stressing that she would "always put the team before my feelings."
On the podcast, Cunningham emphasized the importance of protecting a locker room and described herself as "a very team first type of person." Her remarks came amid heightened attention on the relationship between Reese and players aligned with the Fever, notably as Reese's on-court rivalry with Fever star Caitlin Clark has been a major storyline for the league.
Reese, in her sophomore season in the WNBA, has been one of the league's most visible players and has been selected to the All-Star game in both of her first two seasons. Her comments about possibly "moving in a different direction" came after the Sky failed to reach the postseason for the second consecutive year. Team leaders and coaches did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Chicago's coaching staff and several teammates publicly urged unity after Reese's initial remarks. In her apology, Reese acknowledged the reaction from teammates and reiterated that they had "busted their a** just how I busted my a**." Team officials have said they will address roster and personnel matters during the offseason.
Reese is under her rookie contract through the 2027 season. The Sky could pursue a contract extension before she reaches unrestricted free agency, a common course for teams seeking to retain young core players. The timing and structure of any negotiations have not been announced.
Cunningham, who was Clark's teammate in Indiana, has been vocal in media appearances throughout the season about team accountability and locker-room culture. Clark helped lead the Fever to the postseason in her rookie year and returned from a lengthy injury absence during the 2025 season; the Fever's postseason prospects for the coming year remain a focus for management and fans.
The exchange highlights growing scrutiny of player remarks and their potential impact on team cohesion in a league that has seen rising visibility and commercial interest since the arrival of high-profile rookies. The Sky's front office and coaching staff are expected to outline their offseason plan in the coming weeks as teams prepare for free agency and roster adjustments ahead of the 2026 season.