Introduction to the Game
The Sky had a prime opportunity to end their losing streak on Friday night at home. They were facing a depleted Valkyries team that had played the night before in Washington and showed up in Chicago with just nine players, including one signed to a hardship contract eight hours before tipoff.
The Game Overview
The Sky (7-20) came up short again, falling 73-66 at Wintrust Arena for their seventh straight loss. It was a back-and-forth game, but it had the feel of a beat-up affair. Both teams were short-handed — the Sky suited up just eight — and both struggled to shoot. The Valkyries won despite hitting just 36.9% from the field.
Player Performance
Four players finished in double figures: Elizabeth Williams, Kamilla Cardoso, Kia Nurse, and Rachel Banham. “I thought we played pretty hard, gave ourselves an opportunity to win that game,” Nurse said. That has been a rarity this season — a game that comes down to the wire. But this one did. After giving up a 9-0 run early in the fourth, the Sky clawed back. Banham found Cardoso on a pick-and-roll to cut the deficit to one with 2:23 left.
Coaching and Strategy
Northwestern product Veronica Burton led the Valkyries with 18 points and seven assists, plus four free throws in the closing seconds to ice it. “This game came down to late-game execution, and that starts and ends with me,” coach Tyler Marsh said. It was also a reunion on the sidelines. Marsh faced Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, a friend and former Aces colleague. The pair won two titles together as assistants in Las Vegas.
Challenges and Setbacks
The Sky knew what was coming. The Valkyries take more threes than any team in the league, and they hit 10 of them Friday. The Sky, meanwhile, couldn’t buy one. A wide-open look from Rebecca Allen with 20 seconds left clanked out, and fans headed for the exits. There were a few bright spots. Cardoso continued her strong stretch with her fourth double-double in five games. And newly signed point guard Sevgi Uzun made her Sky debut.
New Additions and Injuries
The 27-year-old Uzun had planned to rest after playing with the Turkish national team at EuroBasket. But when the Sky called, she answered. Her presence helped — both as a steady ballhandler and as a quicker point-of-attack defender than the Sky have had most of the season. She scored five points in 17 minutes and helped keep team turnovers down to 10 — one of their lowest totals all year. “I thought she took command of the offense and pressured the ball well,” Marsh said. Sophomore forward Angel Reese sat out with recurring back tightness. Leading scorer Ariel Atkins missed her sixth consecutive game with a calf injury.
Incident and Fan Behavior
The weirdest moment came in the third quarter, when play had to be stopped because a sex toy was thrown onto the court. It was the second time this week someone has done that at a Valkyries game — the same thing happened Tuesday night in Atlanta. The Sky — already fed up with losing — weren’t amused. “It’s super disrespectful,” Williams said. “I don’t really get the point of it. Whoever’s doing that needs to grow up.”
Conclusion
The Sky’s loss to the Valkyries was a missed opportunity to end their losing streak. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the team showed grit and determination. With new additions like Sevgi Uzun and the potential return of Ariel Atkins, the Sky may be able to turn their season around. However, they will need to work on their late-game execution and find ways to overcome their injuries.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The Valkyries won 73-66.
Q: How many players did the Sky suit up for the game?
A: The Sky suited up just eight players.
Q: Who led the Valkyries in points and assists?
A: Veronica Burton led the Valkyries with 18 points and seven assists.
Q: When is the Sky’s next game?
A: The Sky’s next game is on Sunday against the 16-11 Mercury at Wintrust Arena.
