Introduction to the Sky’s Home Opener

The Sky’s home opener against the Liberty did not go as planned, with the team suffering a significant 99-74 loss. This defeat marks the Sky’s second loss of the season, with a total margin of 60 points. The Liberty, the defending champions, dominated the game from the start, taking a 21-point lead by halftime.

First-Half Struggles

The Sky struggled in the first half, shooting only 31.2% and managing just one fastbreak basket. Star forward Angel Reese, who is crucial to the team’s success, failed to score until six minutes left in the game. She finished with a career-low two points on 0-for-8 shooting, 2 of 6 on free throws, 12 rebounds, and five turnovers in 27 minutes.

Reese’s Frustration

Reese’s frustration was evident throughout the game, particularly in the third quarter when she was whistled for a foul after an emphatic reaction from the Liberty bench. She argued with referee Tyler Mirkovich, resulting in a technical foul, her second this season and sixth of her career. When asked about her reaction, Reese stated that she couldn’t remember if it was specific to that play or an accumulation of frustration throughout the game.

Second-Half Woes

The Liberty continued to push ahead in the second half, taking a 72-48 lead late in the third quarter. The Sky were unable to recover, with Reese’s struggles at the basket continuing. She frequently got opportunities at the basket off passes or rebounds but kept getting blocked, stripped, or simply missing. Coach Tyler Marsh attributed her missed shots to being rushed, stating that the team has confidence in her and believes in all their players to make those shots.

Lack of Support

While Reese faltered, little help arrived to carry the Sky. Point guard Courtney Vandersloot led the team with 14 points, while Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen chipped in 15 and 11 points, respectively, off the bench. No one else on the Sky scored more than eight points. The team also committed 23 turnovers, their most in a game since 2022, which led to 27 points for the Liberty.

Liberty’s Dominance

The Liberty, on the other hand, did everything right. They had a balanced offense with five players scoring in double digits, led by Natasha Cloud with 18 points. The team made a WNBA-record 19 three-pointers on 34 shots, leaving no doubt about their superiority.

Conclusion

The Sky’s loss to the Liberty highlights the team’s need to improve and find their rhythm. With a long season ahead, the team must work on their weaknesses and find ways to support their star players. As Vandersloot stated, "We have a lot to work on, but we’re going to figure it out. We’re all committed to that. We’re not going to let two losses stop us."

FAQs

• Q: What was the final score of the game between the Sky and the Liberty?
  A: The Liberty won 99-74.
• Q: How many points did Angel Reese score in the game?
  A: Reese scored a career-low two points.
• Q: What was the reason for Reese’s technical foul in the third quarter?
  A: Reese was whistled for a foul after an emphatic reaction from the Liberty bench and argued with the referee, resulting in a technical foul.
• Q: How many three-pointers did the Liberty make in the game?
  A: The Liberty made a WNBA-record 19 three-pointers on 34 shots.