Chicago Sky
Dave Sellers
If the playoffs started today the Sky would be the eighth seed. Read about their season and their chances to make a playoff run.
The Chicago Sky sit 3 games ahead of the Dream for the eighth and final playoff spot and one wins behind the Indiana Fever for the seventh seed. It has been a season full of national attention centered around Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. But a third player entered the drama this year.
Chennedy Carter entered the national spotlight on June 1, 2024, when she committed a hard foul, later upgraded to a flagrant, on rookie star Clark. Carter drew support but a lot of hate after the incident. Instead of folding under the pressure, Carter is having a career year.
Carter the fourth overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft has had issues sticking around on teams. Before this year her career high in games played was 24 with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2022, she currently sits at 23 games played.
After sitting out all of the 2023 season, she signed with the Sky. Originally slated to come off the bench she has blossomed into a full-time starter. She is currently averaging 16.4 ppg/ 2.9 rpg/ 2.7 apg/ 1.2 spg.
With Carter’s growth as a scorer, the Sky have defeated the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty on the road. But she and her teammates will need to step it up on the home stretch.
Just before the WNBA trade deadline, GM Jeff Pagliocca traded the team’s second-leading scorer, Marina Mabrey, to the Connecticut Sun. In return for Mabrey, the Sky received Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson.
This trade should work out well for both sides. Banham is a career 37 percent three-point shooter, giving the Sky a consistent outside shooter who also is a creative passer.
For the Sun, they receive a much-needed scorer that can play off and on the ball.
Let’s dig into the stats and talk about some key players that led the Sky to a 10-14 record.
Key Stats
10-14 straight-up
10-14 ATS
13-11 to the over
79.3 points per game
42.5% field goal percentage
31.4% three-point field goal percentage
4.5 three-pointers made per game
75.1 free-throw percentage
11.1 offensive rebounds per game
14 turnovers per game
81.2 points allowed per game
43.8% opponent's field goal percentage
32% opponent's three-point field goal percentage
6.8 made three-pointers allowed per game
78.7% opponent's free-throw percentage
7.9 offensive rebounds allowed per game
15.2 turnovers forced per game
Looking at the stats, the Sky are four games under 500 for multiple reasons. They are being outscored, making two fewer three-pointers a game than their opponents, and making fewer free throws.
Key Players
Angel Reese
I feel like the whole world already knows about Reese. From her days at LSU to her record-breaking streak of double-doubles in the W. Reese is averaging 13.5 ppg and 12 rpg, she is a future superstar who will continue to get better.
Reese does need to work on her field goal percentage. For a mainly interior post player, she is only shooting 40 percent from the field. Reese has shown the ability to shoot the three-ball. I feel that she needs to take more outside shots for her and the Sky to make a deep playoff run.
Kamilia Cardoso
Cardoso was the number three pick in this year’s WNBA draft for a reason. The 6’7’’ Brazilian finished her career at South Carolina University as a two-time national champion, an absolute proven winner.
Cardoso’s season started late due to injury but she is fitting right in with her teammates. Cardoso is averaging 8.2 ppg and 7.8 rpg.
I’m going to say the quiet part out loud, Reese would have not gone on her run of 15 straight double-doubles without Cardoso. Cardoso returned to action on June 1, 2024, which is when Reese’s streak started. Before the June 1st game, Reese only had one double-double in her first six games as a pro.
Cardoso does not get enough credit for the quality of play and how much better the Sky are with her on the floor.
Rest of the Season
The Chicago Sky has sixteen games remaining. The good news is their strength of remaining schedule is seventh. The bad news is they play the Sun, Lynx, and Aces two more times each. And the Mercury three more times. That is nine of their remaining 16 games against the top six in the league.
It will be hard for the Sky to climb in the WNBA standings. The playoffs look likely for them, but with a quick exit.
Fanduel has the Sky’s win total set at 15.5 juiced to the over at -120 with the under being set at -106. This is a great number, if I had to I would bet under.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my work. I’m continually looking for sports writing opportunities. If you would like to contact me, you can do it through this site or my X @Davesdailypicks.
