It would be nothing short of a miracle if the Chicago Sky reached the playoffs this year. After suffering their twenty-second loss, they now have just a 0.1 percent chance of qualifying for the postseason, according to ESPN. Judging by their recent performances, it seems even Angel Reese and her teammates have resigned themselves to missing out.
The results tell the story. Chicago is not just losing; they are rarely even competitive. On average, the Sky are being outscored by 10.2 points per game, and the gap is widening as the season progresses. In their last ten defeats, their average losing margin was 18.9 points. Still, guard Rachel Banham has offered words of encouragement to her fellow teammates, Ariel Atkins and Sevgi Uzun.
These words of upliftment came after Angel Reese’s team suffered their twenty-second loss against the Atlanta Dream. “They’re fast. Little quick guards,” Banham said during the postgame conference. “I remember having to dribble against her [Sevgi], and it was never fun. So, she’s great at bringing that kind of dynamic off the bench, something that I don’t really do.”
She added, “Then Ariel’s obviously just known for her defense. She’s very active, she’s quick, she’s smart. So, it’s really huge having them and changing the tempo on defense when they’re on the floor.” Sevgi Uzun officially joined the Chicago Sky in July 2025, while Ariel Atkins joined in February 2025. And the two players have had a contrasting 2025 season.
The contrasting season Angel Reese’s teammates are having in 2025
Although Banham praised both Atkins and Uzun, their 2025 seasons are unfolding in very different ways. Atkins has clearly been the more impactful of the two. Averaging 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, she has earned a spot in the starting lineup and played a key role in one of Chicago’s biggest moments this year, taking down the league-leading Minnesota Lynx in July.
June 27, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins (7) dribbles up court against the Golden State Valkyries in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
In that nail-biter, which ended 87–81 in the Sky’s favor, Atkins poured in 27 points to lead the charge. On the other hand, Uzun’s season has been far quieter. She is averaging 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, serving primarily as a depth option. Still, Chicago’s front office clearly believes in her potential.
“Uzun is a complete pro who is going to immediately contribute to the Chicago Sky. She’s played at a high level in the WNBA and overseas and will continue to prove to be a strong playmaker and defender,” Chicago Sky’s general manager Jeff Pagliocca said when she joined the team.
Atkins is entrenched as a starter, while Uzun provides valuable support off the bench. Yet with Banham’s public praise for both, it’s clear they have the talent to make their mark. What they need now are defining moments to showcase their skills. However, those moments may be in short supply as the Sky face a dwindling number of games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The post Angel Reese’s Teammate Stresses Encouraging Signs After Chicago Sky’s 22nd Loss This Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.