Introduction to the Sky’s Struggles
The Sky’s winless streak continued as they faced the Mercury, despite a promising start to the third quarter. Newcomers Ariel Atkins and Kia Nurse showed signs of improvement, with Atkins scoring easy buckets and Nurse making multiple three-pointers. Point guard Courtney Vandersloot was in control, and forward Angel Reese held her own against Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.
A Glimmer of Hope
The Sky led 58-42 at one point, but the Mercury’s 12-for-18 three-point binge in the second half turned the game around. Thomas repeatedly drove to the basket and kicked the ball out to open shooters, leaving the Sky’s defense struggling to keep up. The Sky’s inability to stop turning the ball over and hold a lead has been a recurring issue.
Challenges Ahead
The Sky’s new roster, coach, and tough opponents have presented significant challenges. Coach Tyler Marsh acknowledged that moral victories are no longer enough, and it’s time for the team to start winning. The Sky’s 0-4 start is the worst in franchise history, and they face a critical back-to-back series against the Wings and No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers.
Turning the Season Around
Beating the Wings twice could be the turning point in the Sky’s season. Losing to them twice, on the other hand, would be disastrous. The team is hungry for a win, and players like Atkins, Nurse, and Reese are showing signs of improvement. Atkins’ 21 points against the Mercury, Nurse’s four three-pointers, and Reese’s battle against Thomas were all positives.
Road to Improvement
The Sky’s defense has been a major concern, with four straight opponents scoring over 90 points against them. The team needs to focus on defending and holding leads. As Reese said, "Everybody, from top to bottom, we can see we can score. We’ve just got to defend. And once we [do] that, we’ll be great."
Conclusion
The Sky’s season is at a critical juncture. With back-to-back games against the Wings and Paige Bueckers, they have the opportunity to turn their season around. The team is hungry for a win, and with continued improvement from players like Atkins, Nurse, and Reese, they may finally get their first victory. As Atkins said, "We’ve just got to keep fighting, honestly, and continue to get better and stick together."
FAQs
- What is the Sky’s current record?
The Sky are currently 0-4, the worst start in franchise history. - Who do the Sky face in their next two games?
The Sky face the Wings and No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers in back-to-back games. - What has been the Sky’s biggest challenge this season?
The Sky’s defense has been a major concern, with four straight opponents scoring over 90 points against them. - Who has shown signs of improvement for the Sky?
Ariel Atkins, Kia Nurse, and Angel Reese have all shown signs of improvement in recent games.
