The Chicago Sky are nonetheless misplaced for options.
The staff has misplaced a shocking eight video games in a row, a feat that leaves them twelfth within the WNBA standings, with solely the lowly Connecticut Solar under them at thirteenth.
Of their most up-to-date loss, in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, the Sky struggled to regulate the sport after a promising begin.
After taking a six-point lead into the second quarter, the Sky gave up 29 factors and 27 factors within the second and third quarters, respectively, which put the sport out of attain.
Ultimately, they misplaced 83-67 – a recreation that noticed Reese absent for her second straight fixture.
It additionally noticed them take a step nearer to undesirable historical past. The franchise report for consecutive defeats stands at 13, set again in 2006, and it could possibly be simply over every week away from being equalled.
It has left consultants searching for methods to know how the Sky can get out of this hunch and get again to successful methods.
The ESPN present Hoop Streams takes nameless matters from WNBA followers and discusses them and the subject material concerned, akin to whether or not it was time to take Reese out of the hearth, given her harm scenario and the staff’s struggles.
On the newest episode one fan posted the query: “I can’t consider I’m saying this, however it might be time for Chicago to close down their star participant for the remainder of the season.
“A spot within the playoffs is so removed from affordable, and accidents preserve plaguing them… significantly, one thing wants to alter, and it might be time for somebody to go.”
It was a suggestion that was shortly dismissed by WNBA knowledgeable Ari Chambers.
“Who to go, not Angel Reese!? Completely not,” Chambers mentioned.
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“For those who’re Angel Reese, I perceive that the Chicago Sky will not be in good standing proper now, however you, because the franchise participant of that staff, are going to do what you are able to do on your staff.”
Chambers went even additional to double down on the significance of Reese.
“That is the way forward for their franchise!” she added.
What has gone improper for the Chicago Sky?
The Sky started the season with optimism after a powerful offseason that noticed them draft Hailey Van Lith and use their commerce picks to land Ariel Atkins.
It even led to Reese making half-hearted championship predictions for the franchise coming into the marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, with their 7-21 report, it is probably the Sky will not even make the postseason as they sit 11 video games behind playoff place with 12 video games left and appear like a contender for the primary total decide.
Angel Reese laughs as Paige Bueckers pokes enjoyable at Mebounds tag
“We’re not simply dropping video games, we’re dropping who we’re,” mentioned interim head coach Tyler Marsh, per the Chicago Solar-Instances.
Absences do clarify a few of the staff’s struggles.
Atkins has been sidelined since July 14, whereas Courtney Vandersloot is out for the season with a torn ACL.
And with Reese lacking 4 of the final 5 video games, the staff are missing a participant with actual on-court influence.
“We’re scrambling with out our anchors,” mentioned ahead Michaela Onyenwere.
“There is not any regular voice within the huddle.”
Regardless of criticism of Reese by WNBA legends like Candace Parker, when she hasn’t been on the courtroom, the Sky have struggled much more.
Chicago has solely received as soon as within the ten video games they’ve performed with out Reese this season.
Lots of these defeats have been blowouts, with 4 of these video games misplaced by greater than 30 factors.
It is onerous to see any turnaround in type for the franchise till their stars get wholesome and a few rhythm is established
However that may not come by the top of the season.