The Chicago Sky are encountering significant challenges at the start of the WNBA season, having lost all four of their opening games. With a matchup against the Dallas Wings on the horizon, the Sky are eager to secure their first win of the year. Their struggles have positioned them as one of two winless teams in the league, alongside the Connecticut Sun.
Under new head coach Tyler Marsh, the Sky were expected to face tough competition. While the defeats against the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty were especially harrowing, the games against the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury showcased areas where the team could compete better. However, critical concerns remain regarding their performance on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, the Sky have the league’s worst rating, allowing 94.3 points per game and failing to restrict any opponent under 90 points. Despite having strong personnel, including standout defensive rebounder Angel Reese and block specialist Elizabeth Williams, the Sky struggle to defend the three-point line effectively, conceding a staggering 45.1% shooting from beyond the arc. This reliance on collapsing the defense results in wide-open shots for opponents and a concerning number of fast-break points allowed.
Turnover issues plague the Sky as well, as they average 19 turnovers per game, leading to nearly 20 points for their opponents off those mistakes. With key players still adjusting to a new system, the Sky’s offensive flow has suffered, further compounded by a disorganized approach to fast breaks and inefficient entry passing.
In addition to these challenges, the team’s desire to improve their three-point shooting—after finishing last in the league in this category last season—has not yet materialized as planned. Though they are attempting more shots from beyond the arc, their accuracy has been low at 28.4%. Creating quality shot opportunities has proven to be difficult, particularly when trying to generate corner shots, which are the most efficient.
Finally, finishing around the rim has become another pressing issue for the Sky, who are shooting just 46.2% from within five feet—a stark contrast to their expectations. This lack of efficiency has disrupted their offensive rhythm and diminished their advantage in height and frontcourt presence.
Despite these early struggles, there remains hope for improvement as the season unfolds. With the potential for players to adjust and grow within their new roles, the Sky can aim to rectify their defensive consistency, cut down on turnovers, refine their shooting technique, and enhance their finishing percentage. A win against the Wings could serve as a catalyst for their turnaround, helping build a resilient team as they work through these initial setbacks.