A go to from the defensively stout Phoenix Mercury doesn’t bode nicely for the Chicago Sky, who’ve struggled to handle the basketball.
Trying to rebound from one other disheartening defeat Saturday, the Sky now face the Mercury, who’re on a four-game successful streak.
Chicago (3-8) led by 16 within the first half Tuesday in opposition to the Washington Mystics, however that cushion evaporated whereas committing 25 turnovers that led to 40 Washington factors. The Sky’s 79-72 dwelling setback was their fourth loss in 5 video games.
Chicago is committing a WNBA-worst 18.7 turnovers per recreation.
“It feels prefer it’s been redundant,” Sky head coach Tyler Marsh stated on the highest of turnovers. “We discuss it just about each recreation, of how necessary it’s to take care and worth the basketball.”
Chicago star Angel Reese collected 17 factors and 10 rebounds however dedicated seven turnovers. She has averaged 11.0 factors and 11.7 rebounds with a team-high 3.9 turnovers.
The Sky additionally squandered a 16-point lead within the third quarter throughout a 94-89 loss at Phoenix on Might 27. Chicago shot 46.5 p.c, however turned the ball over 19 occasions in opposition to the Mercury, who power 17.9 turnovers and file practically 9 steals per recreation.
Phoenix (10-4) compelled 20 New York turnovers and outrebounded the host Liberty 42-32 throughout Thursday’s spectacular 89-81 victory over the defending champions.
Mercury rookie Monique Akoa Makani had 21 factors, whereas Alyssa Thomas added 18 factors, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Sami Whitcomb made 4 3-pointers and scored 16 factors because the Mercury have gained their final three video games, all on the highway.
“We’ll proceed to get higher,” Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts stated.
“The factor that I’m most pleased with is that we compete on each possession, defensively.”
Phoenix’s Satou Sabally scored 20 factors whereas Thomas dished out 15 assists versus Chicago in Might. Makani made three of the Mercury’s 16 3-pointers in that matchup. Sabally is scoring 19.5 factors with 8.5 rebounds.
Chicago’s Ariel Atkins scored 21 at Phoenix final month and has averaged 12.6 on the season. The Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso, who has averaged 14.3 factors within the final three video games and eight.8 rebounds within the final 4, had 16 factors with 9 rebounds within the earlier assembly with the Mercury.
Phoenix star and former Sky standout Kahleah Copper could possibly be set to return Saturday. She sat out Thursday after making her season debut Sunday following a left knee damage and taking part in in consecutive video games.
–Subject Degree Media
