The Chicago Sky faced a tough challenge on Saturday, suffering a 107-86 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury, which dropped their record to 3-9 for the season.
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh highlighted that the team’s identity has become clear as they near the quarter mark of the WNBA season.
At this stage, it’s evident that the Sky are struggling with turnovers, often giving away possession at crucial moments.
A vivid example of this struggle came from Kamilla Cardoso, who attempted a baseball pass to Angel Reese during the second quarter.
The pass was intercepted, leading to a rapid three-pointer for the Mercury, indicating a significant five-point swing.
Marsh acknowledged the team’s ongoing issues, particularly when under pressure.
“Sometimes handling pressure is mental as much as it is physical, and we didn’t do it consistently enough,” he noted after another game with over 20 turnovers.
The statistics spoke volumes, with seven turnovers in the first quarter alone leading to 13 points for the Mercury.
Ultimately, the Mercury capitalized on 29 points from the Sky’s mistakes throughout the game.
Despite spending the week preparing for the Mercury’s pressing defense, the Sky struggled when faced with defensive traps.
Guard Michaela Onyenwere commented on the team’s challenges, stating, “Teams are gonna continue to do that to us because they see we struggle with it.”
As the game progressed, even after the Mercury eased off the pressure, the Sky continued to rack up turnovers.
Players were seen getting stripped, traveling, and throwing the ball out of bounds due to miscommunication, resulting in a team that appeared disoriented and out of sync.
Part of this struggle can be attributed to the team’s structural issues, including the reliance on Ariel Atkins to run point guard, a role she is not naturally inclined to fulfill.
In the first quarter alone, Atkins committed five turnovers, which hindered her ability to score via her stronger catch-and-shoot opportunities.
A more hopeful perspective on the Sky’s situation is that they are trying to find cohesion without a traditional point guard.
There are talented players on the roster, but unlocking their potential has proven challenging.
Rookie guard Hailey Van Lith shared her thoughts on the team’s identity before the game, saying, “I really don’t think we have one thing to describe us right now. That’s not a bad thing.”
Van Lith remains optimistic about the Sky’s potential, envisioning a future similar to the balanced and deep rosters of teams like the Spurs or Pacers.
She believes a well-rounded team can surge during games, leading to quick scoring runs.
On paper, the Sky’s roster features solid supporting players like Reese, Atkins, and Cardoso, along with veterans such as Becca Allen, Kia Nurse, and Elizabeth Williams.
Collectively, there’s hope that any player could step up on any given night.
Yet, as the season progresses, it remains unclear what the team’s foundational identity is supposed to be.
Marsh expressed frustration, stating, “We’re all frustrated.”
The question now arises: is it time for the Sky to make a roster change or hold steady?
When asked about potential roster adjustments, Marsh stated, “In terms of changing the roster, I don’t really want to get into that. I think we’ve got to focus on who we have in this locker room and understand what we need to do to be the best version of who we have.”
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