NEW YORK — The Chicago Sky entered the season with high hopes, anticipating a serious playoff run with a team believed to challenge any opponent in the WNBA. However, their season has not unfolded as expected.
Struggling with a 2-6 record, the Sky faced a major setback with the loss of veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. This injury compounded their early struggles, as they found themselves near the bottom of the league’s offensive and defensive rankings after acquiring multiple veterans during the offseason.
General manager Jeff Pagliocca expressed his disappointment, noting, “It’s a long season and there’s a lot of games left, but this is unexpected.” Despite the challenges, he emphasized the team’s need to improve “everywhere,” particularly in defense and shooting, as they currently allow a league-worst 90.1 points per game while shooting a mere 39.9%.
Pagliocca identified several areas for improvement, including perimeter defense, shooting confidence, and execution of coach Tyler Marsh’s game plan, particularly after their latest loss to the Liberty, who dominated the game.
A focal point for the Sky has been forward Angel Reese, the franchise’s marquee player. Although her averages of 9.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game remain significant, they have declined from the previous season, and she has struggled with turnovers. Pagliocca acknowledged the necessity for Reese to expand her offensive game as both her and the team seek to enhance their adaptability. The hope is to prevent redundancy in the frontcourt with center Kamilla Cardoso by staggering their playing time.
Reese has taken responsibility for her performance, expressing determination to improve: “I put my head down and work every single day — I don’t give up on anything,” she stated before a recent game, indicating her commitment to adapting her gameplay.
Meanwhile, first-time head coach Tyler Marsh is adjusting to his role amid these challenges, having only three weeks of training camp to implement his system. With Vandersloot’s absence, he has faced the added pressure of finding solutions that can turn the team’s trajectory around.
Pagliocca has voiced his support for Marsh, highlighting the effort put in despite the disappointing record. “The record does not reflect the amount of work put in,” he remarked, optimistic that the team’s culture and talent will eventually translate to success.
While good attitudes and effort provide a solid foundation, the Sky recognize that they need to translate that into wins as they strive to change their current outlook. The season is far from over, and there remains hope that the Sky can harness their potential and turn it into positive results.