Saturday had the makings of a picture-perfect home opener for the Sky.
Many of Chicago’s stars came out to Wintrust Arena. Minority owner Dwyane Wade sat courtside with his family, Chance The Rapper sat across the court with his daughters and another Grammy winner, Lupe Fiasco, performed at halftime.
For three quarters, the Sky (2-2) looked to be on the verge of beating undefeated teams in back-to-back games. In the final 10 minutes, however, poor shooting resulted in an 86-82 loss to the Sun.
The Sky were outscored 27-4 on second-chance points and outrebounded 38-21.
Sky rookie Angel Reese had struggled in the first half of each of her first three games this season. Before the home opener, she said she was striving for her first complete game.
She turned in her best first half of the season, finishing with 10 points and two rebounds. In the second half, however, she was limited to three points and three
rebounds.
Midway through the third quarter, things got contentious between Reese and Sun forward Alyssa Thomas — who finished second in MVP voting last season — under the basket. The physicality of both players bubbled over when Thomas put her hand on Reese’s neck and forced her to the floor in an armbar-like motion.
After reviewing the play, officials upgraded the foul call to a Flagrant 2, and Thomas was ejected from the game. She went to the locker room with nine points, six rebounds and six assists.
It didn’t look as though the Sky had a comeback attempt in them when they trailed the Sun by six late in the fourth quarter. But a three-pointer by Marina Mabrey put them right back in it, making it a one-possession game with a minute to play. She finished with a game-high 23 points, five rebounds and four assists.
From there, Reese forced a shot-clock violation on veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, giving the Sky possession with 30 seconds left.
But as the Sky inbounded the ball, an official called an offensive foul on Reese. From there, a made free throw by DiJonai Carrington made it a two-possession game and sealed the Sun’s victory.
Bonner led the Sun with 19 points. Carrington and Brionna Jones added 16 each.
Five Sky players finished in double figures. In addition to Mabrey and Reese, Dana Evans had 13 points, Elizabeth Williams 10 points and five rebounds and Chennedy Carter 11 points off the bench.
Even this early in the season, the Sky have made their identity clear
On opening night May 15 against the Wings, their defensive ferocity was apparent. When they came from behind to get their first victory of the season two nights later, it was even more obvious.
In their loss Saturday to the Sun, it was inarguable that the Sky have taken on coach Teresa Weatherspoon’s identity.
It remains to be seen whether that consistently will translate into victories as the season goes along.