‘We’re getting there’: Ahead of the Commissioner’s Cup, the Sky feels like it is coming together
After a slow start to the season, the Chicago Sky has found its footing.
The team has won its last two games thanks to 90-point outbursts. For head coach Tyler Marsh, the reason for the offensive improvement is simple.
“I think it’s comfort. Our chemistry and cohesion, it takes time. It takes time to develop, it takes time to jell,” Marsh said Thursday afternoon. “I think we’ve seen glimpses throughout the year so far, but over the last two games, I think we’ve really seen an improvement on what it could look like.”
Another factor in the Sky’s improvement is the return of rookie guard Hailey Van Lith. Van Lith missed two games with an ankle injury in late May, both of which were close losses. Since her return, the team is 2-0 and outscoring opponents by 14 when Van Lith is on the court. Despite her relative inexperience in the WNBA, Van Lith is already very comfortable in professional action.
“I think my IQ helps me out a lot. I’m a smart player,” Van Lith said. “Coaches compliment me on how I make veteran plays as a rookie … I know how to help my team in little ways.”
Thus far, one of Van Lith’s most helpful traits is the way she takes care of the basketball. The rookie has just one turnover this season, and it happened in her debut back on May 17. Since then, Van Lith has played 33 minutes of turnover-free basketball. Considering the Sky is last in the WNBA in turnovers, with 16.8 a game, Van Lith’s ability to avoid giving the ball away has been critical.
“A good portion of our turnovers, I don’t think were selfish turnovers. A lot of our turnovers were trying to make the extra play, or trying to make it for someone else,” Marsh said. “I think that with our spacing improved, and with our comfortability with who else we’re on the floor with, I think we’ll understand … how to navigate those situations.”
Meanwhile, Van Lith is still learning how to navigate life as a professional athlete. Her first month in a Sky jersey has seen some setbacks — there were only six weeks between Van Lith’s last game as a collegian and her first game as a pro, and she suffered the ankle injury in her second regular-season game. However, Van Lith has stayed focused thanks to a positive attitude.
“The biggest piece of advice I’ve gotten is literally just to show up every day with a fresh mindset and take nothing from the day before,” Van Lith said. “I’m feeling more and more comfortable every day. I’m happy with my progress and I’m happy with my mentality.”
Van Lith isn’t the only person navigating their first year in a new role. Marsh is a rookie head coach, and he acknowledged that there will be some bumps in the road for him as well.
However, he also believes because he’s navigating new territory, he and his team have understood what each other is going through. Just five players on the Sky roster played for the team in 2024, and two of them (Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso) were rookies. So while both the players and staff are breaking new ground, they’re doing it exactly the way Marsh wants: together.
“With it being a new team and a new staff, it really is true that you need time and you need to give each other grace,” Marsh said. “I think we’ve done a good job of that … slowly but surely, we’re getting there.”