New-look Sky thinking playoffs as WNBA season resumes
The last time the Sky took the court was in Las Vegas on July 16. It beat the two-time defending champion Aces that night 93-85.
Since then, the players got a month off, Team USA won another gold medal in Paris and the Sky traded second-leading scorer Marina Mabrey to Connecticut. The WNBA season resumes Thursday when the Sky (10-14) hosts Phoenix. This game features a return to Chicago for former Sky all-star Kahleah Copper, traded to the Mercury after last season.
At the same time, two new members of the Sky — veteran guards Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson — will make their debuts. The Olympic break gave Jefferson time to recover from ankle surgery. She last played for the Sun on June 12 but has been practicing with the Sky.
Coach Teresa Weatherspoon said she expects forward Michaela Onyenwere to take over Mabrey's spot in the starting lineup.
Mabrey reportedly requested a trade, and she joined a WNBA title contender. But Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca believes the new players will help, even if their 2024 stats don't jump off the page.
“I'm positive,” he said. “I targeted both of them and only both of them in that trade. I had my eyes on them for a long time.
“We think the world of Marina Mabrey, but they had players we were looking forward to getting too. They will both help us a lot. Expect to see them on the court; real weapons.”
The move was probably for the best. Losing Mabrey cost the Sky one of its few capable 3-point shooters, but the team has established a young nucleus of Chennedy Carter, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, and Mabrey was no longer a great fit.
The Sky holds the eighth and final playoff spot and has 16 games left to improve its seed. Including the win in Las Vegas, the Sky has beaten three of the league's top five teams on the road this season.
“We're OK,” Weatherspoon said. “We had practice time, and that's the most important thing. That's how you get going, you get back into practice and you start filling our new players in on what their role is. You've got two veterans. They know what to do. They know how to make their teammates better.”
A month off in the middle of the season isn't normal, but for Angel Reese, who went straight from LSU into her rookie season, it came at a great time.
“I got lucky with this Olympic year and it spoiled us, because now I'm looking forward to it every year,” Reese said. “Obviously, we don't get that.
“It was much-needed rest. Still was in the gym and still doing things to stay in shape. For all of us it was much-needed rest, especially players that had nagging injuries. I'm really excited for this second half.”
Reese went over to Paris and watched a couple games in the Olympics but also admitted that wasn't her top priority.
“I went there to shop,” she said. “I do a lot of vintage shopping. I was able to experience a little bit of the Olympics but also just being able to enjoy.”