Chicago Sky barely missed the postseason due to injuries piling up by the end of the 2024 regular season, so surely many thought that with a new head coach in Tyler Marsh, the return of Courtney Vandersloot, and some promising draft picks, 2025 was finally going to be the playoff year. But the Sky just dropped to 3-8. And while it’s true that all three wins have come off the back of Angel Reese, the most gut-wrenching loss – this one to the Washington Mystics – might just fall on her shoulders too.
Why do we call it the most frustrating one? Well, because the Sky had it. They had a 12-point lead in the first half before their offense totally dried up. Washington trailed 44-32 at halftime, but came out of the break like a different team. Brittney Sykes dropped the first four points of the third quarter, and before you could blink, the Mystics went on an 18-4 run. Washington flat-out owned the third, outscoring the Sky 24–12. That included a 20–4 stretch that flipped the game.
The Mystics went ahead 56-50, but Chicago clawed back with a six-point spurt to tie it before the quarter ended. Elizabeth Williams got her first four points of the game right there, including the tying bucket. But then, Sug Sutton went full floor general. She dished out three early dimes in the fourth, and the Mystics built a lead they’d never give up.
The fourth quarter belonged to Washington. They outscored the Sky 23–16, putting the final nail in the comeback. So what really hurt Chicago? Turnovers. Well, a lot of them. The Sky coughed up the ball nine times in the third quarter alone. Overall, they committed 25 turnovers, compared to 16 from Washington. That turned into a nightmare – 40 points off turnovers for the Mystics. Also they got to the line nine more times too. And who had the most turnovers? Reese. She committed seven.
Jun 10, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) brings the ball up court in the first quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
But she owned it right after the game. When asked about the biggest mistake, she confessed, “For me seven turnovers just can’t happen. I mean I know I’m trying to make good plays and I’m looking for the right pass and I’m trying to believe my guards and then try to get the open pass… I got to be better and that’s on me. I’m going to take that for the turnovers,” Chi-Town Barbie confessed during the post-game press conference.
Well, at least she’s taking accountability. But the turnover issues aren’t new for Chicago. They’re averaging 16.6 per game this season, and Reese is leading the team in that stat with 3.6 per night. She averaged just 2.2 last year. So what changed? Well, the Sky are trying something new. Reese has been asked to play more point-forward this season, which means more ball-handling and, unfortunately, more mistakes.
Still, she’s doing the rest of her job. The sophomore finished the night going 7-of-13 from the field, putting up 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. She filled the stat sheet. But unless the Sky fix these turnover issues – especially late in games – none of it’s going to matter. Meanwhile, Brittney Sykes was the flamethrower for Washington, dropping a game-high 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting. Kamilla Cardoso tried to hold things down for Chicago with 18 points and 10 boards, but it wasn’t enough.
For Mystics, this was a massive bounce-back. They improve to 5–7, snapping a three-game skid. As for Chicago, they’re sinking. At 3–8, something’s got to give. While Reese has been leading the way, who needs to step up big time?
Is Ariel Atkins the answer or the gamble for Angel Reese & Sky?
The Chicago Sky made headlines when they shipped the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Ariel Atkins. It was bold, controversial, and full of pressure. Jeff Pagliocca wasn’t just trying to patch a hole, he had a blueprint. He believed Atkins, with her elite defensive pedigree and untapped scoring potential, could step up as the franchise’s lead guard and evolve into a top-10 player. “There’s gonna be times we ask her to go into alpha mode,” Pagliocca said at training camp.
Well, Tuesday night against her former team would’ve been a great time for that mode to kick in. The Sky had built up a huge lead in the first half at Wintrust Arena. But then they went flat. They scored just 28 points in the entire second half and handed the Mystics a 79-72 comeback win. “We got pretty comfortable,” Angel Reese said after the loss. “We got super lax going into that third quarter. We had 20 great minutes and then maybe five more and that was it from us.”
Atkins started strong. She was efficient in the first half, especially when Chicago was dominating in the paint. But as the game got tight? She disappeared. She took just two shots in the fourth quarter and both were desperation attempts with the shot clock winding down. “I think I’ve been passive for a really long time,” the baller said before the game. “I think the coaches here are asking me to tap into something that I 100% can do. I’m getting there.”
There’s no doubt she has a good resume. Five All-Defensive team selections, three All-Star appearances, and an Olympic gold medal. But this season, she’s being asked to do something different: be the lead scorer. She showed flashes of it in late May, averaging 21.3 points over a three-game stretch. But she’s also had three games where she couldn’t crack double digits.
May 29, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Rebecca Allen (9), guard Ariel Atkins (7), guard Courtney Vandersloot (22), center Kamilla Cardoso (10), and forward Angel Reese (5) are seen during the first half against the Dallas Wings at the Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
It’s why the trade still draws heat. Morpe because the third pick turned out to be Sonia Citron, who is putting together a solid rookie campaign. Entering Tuesday, she was averaging 13.4 points on 47.2% shooting. Atkins, in comparison, had 12.9 points on 42.5%. On the night they faced off, their box scores were nearly mirror images. Citron had 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Atkins posted 10 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
Still, the Sky believes Atkins brings more than numbers. As a champion and leader, she’s already influencing the younger roster with her preparation and professionalism. Now, it’s about whether she can step into the alpha role along with that or if the price paid will keep haunting them.
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