The spotlight was bright, the stage was set, and all eyes were on rookie sensation Angel Reese as she faced off against the Minnesota Lynx. But instead of a breakout game, fans witnessed a frustrating and at times uncomfortable performance — especially when it came to her shooting.

To make matters worse, a viral clip resurfaced just hours before tip-off — WNBA legend Lisa Leslie offering some simple but powerful advice to Reese just last week:

“She’s got to develop that midrange shot — that’s what’s missing from her game.”

It seems Angel didn’t listen. And the result? A shooting night she’ll want to forget.

The Stat Line: Cold as Ice

Reese finished the game with:

2-for-12 shooting from the field

Several missed open jumpers

An airball that had fans groaning

And visible frustration on her face throughout the second half

Though she contributed on the boards and hustled defensively, her inefficiency in the half-court offense stood out — especially against a Lynx defense that gave her space to shoot… and dared her to prove she could.

Spoiler alert: she didn’t.

Lisa Leslie Warned Her — Publicly

Just days before the game, Lisa Leslie — Hall of Famer, former MVP, and one of the greatest to ever play the position — spoke about Angel Reese on a podcast:

“She’s got everything — the motor, the rebounds, the confidence. But at the next level, those paint points don’t come as easy. You need that 12–15 foot jumper.”

Instead of attacking with finesse or adjusting her shot selection, Reese appeared overly reliant on contested layups, often forcing tough shots against seasoned defenders.

The Lynx clearly did their homework.

Fans React: “She Needs to Evolve”

Social media lit up after the game with a mix of disappointment and concern:

“That was tough to watch. She’s still playing like it’s LSU.”

“Lisa literally told her what to fix. Why isn’t her team working on this?”

“I love Angel’s heart, but the skill has to catch up fast.”

Even some of her supporters admitted that it’s time for Reese to expand her offensive game — especially with so many defenders now sagging off and clogging the lane.

The Rookie Learning Curve

Let’s be clear: Angel Reese is not a bust, and she’s not alone in struggling early in her WNBA journey. The league is fast, physical, and ruthless — and even college stars need time to adjust.

But in a league full of elite post players, raw athleticism isn’t enough. Reese will have to:

Improve her shooting mechanics

Develop a consistent midrange game

Learn to make quicker decisions when facing double teams

That’s where coaching matters, and it’s clear Chicago has work to do if they want to maximize her potential.

Final Thoughts: Ignore Legends At Your Own Risk

Lisa Leslie didn’t criticize Angel Reese — she tried to help. And in classic WNBA fashion, the game humbled another young star who thought sheer intensity could win every battle.

Angel Reese still has all the tools to become a dominant forward in this league. But tools mean nothing if you don’t sharpen them.

If she wants to prove her critics — and Lisa Leslie — wrong, she’ll have to start doing the one thing every great player learns to do:

Adapt.