Angel Reese and Kahleah Copper went from championship teammates to sparring partners on social media, delivering a string of viral exchanges that lit up the WNBA world.

You Been Acting Real Shady' — Angel Reese Engages in Hilarious Banter With Unrivaled Teammate Kahleah Copper

The star duo, who won the inaugural “Unrivaled” 3-on-3 title together as part of a six-person roster for Rose Basketball Club, shared what appeared to be friendly banter, but fans aren’t sure if everything’s still cool between them.

Angel Reese Calls Out Kahleah Copper for ‘Shady’ Behavior Since Unrivaled

Reese, the 23-year-old forward for the Chicago Sky, took the first shot online. She joked that Copper’s eyebrows got messed up for “cheating,” referencing an earlier exchange between the two players. Copper, currently sidelined with a knee injury for the Phoenix Mercury, fired back with a laugh: “And don’t even start making up stuff on the net I’m not playing wit youuuuuu.”

But Reese escalated the drama, perhaps unnecessarily, saying: “Oh yeah I forgot to reply to this too… you been acting real shady since Unrivaled too. You didn’t even want to speak in Phoenix and had to FaceTime me after smh.”

She followed it up with one last jab: “You right. IM STILL OFF YOU.”

 

What looked like a mentor-mentee friendship during Unrivaled — Reese often called Copper “Grandma” in their behind-the-scenes TikToks — now seems a bit contentious. Maybe. For now, both players appear to have let the conversation simmer down.

You Been Acting Real Shady' — Angel Reese Engages in Hilarious Banter With Unrivaled Teammate Kahleah Copper - NewsBreak

Unrivaled Duo Brought the Energy, but the Sky’s Season Isn’t Matching the Vibes

During the Unrivaled run, Reese and Copper were one of the league’s most entertaining duos. They brought chemistry, competitiveness, and a title, even as players from rival WNBA teams shared the court. Their viral moments ranged from TikTok roasts to Reese joking about trying to recruit Copper back to Chicago.

It never felt forced. They looked like they genuinely had fun.

Now, with Copper rehabbing in Phoenix and Reese battling through a tough sophomore WNBA campaign, the vibes have shifted. The Sky are 2-6 on the season, 0-2 in the Commissioner’s Cup, and struggling to find consistency under first-year head coach Tyler Marsh. Five of their six losses have come by double digits.

Reese is still averaging a double-double — 10.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game — but both numbers are down from her rookie season. Her field goal percentage has dipped to 35.8%. Despite a season-high 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Liberty on June 10, the Sky dropped another blowout loss, 85–66.

General manager Jeff Pagliocca acknowledged the growing pressure on Reese to perform in Chicago. She is the face of the franchise, plus a rising star for the WNBA brand.

“We need more production out of her, but we need her to help us in other ways, too,” Pagliocca said, via Chicago Sun-Times. “She’s been putting the time in. She’s been a great teammate. She knows we need to use her in a variety of ways. We’re still trying to pinpoint the most advantageous part of that.”