Chicago Sky guard, Chennedy Carter, was the main performer for her team as Sky lacked energy as Mystics outscored them at home in Wintrust Arena. The Sky showed no heart and a lack of trying in addition to a falter in scoring capabilities which Mystics took full advantage of as they outscored the Sky in every quarter. Carter scored 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist as the Chicago Sky (13-23) lost to the Washington Mystics (12-24) 88-58 at home at Wintrust Arena.
The Sky entered this game motivated to secure the final playoff spot but carried an inconsistent record. In their last four matches, they've recorded two wins and two losses. Prior to facing the Mystics, the Sky fell to the Dallas Wings at home, 92-77, at Wintrust Arena. Similarly, the Mystics arrived with a mixed record of two wins and two losses in their last four games, coming off a 78-71 home defeat to the Minnesota Lynx.
The last meeting between these teams was on Wednesday, August 28th, when the Sky narrowly lost a tight game on the road, 74-70. Mystics center Stefanie Dolson and Sky forward Michaela Onyenwere were standout performers, with Dolson contributing 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Onyenwere added 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.
The Sky hoped for a similar result this time, but the Mysticswere once again better offensively were and won the game, and the Sky missed out on an opportunity in front of their fans to secure a playoff spot.
Chicago Sky head coach, Teresa Weatherspoon spoke post-game on why the energy wasn't there and why the team wasn't showing enough scoring prowess.
"That's a great question. I'm asking the same damn thing. I'm asking the same damn thing. You know, there are ways that you can lose, but not like this. That's not who we are. We didn't come out with the energy necessary to win a game, didn't have the desire to go win a game, to make adjustments, to be better, and we have to be. We have to do things together. We have to do it as a unit. We can't do things individually. We are a team that has to play together, move the ball, work together, and be better defensively. Much better defensively."
An excuse could be made that the team lacked scoring capabilities because of the recently announced injury of high-scoring and difference maker for the Sky, Angel Reese. However, Weatherspoon quickly put this notion to bed and added how that can't be the reason and the next person in line has to step up.
"She's been with us this entire time. She brings a lot to this team. There's a lot that she does that it takes a team to bring, so of course she's missed, but it's a next-man-up mentality. Next man up. You've got to bring what you bring. I'm not asking you to be anyone else. I'm asking you to be yourself, be who you are in the system and master your role. That's all we're asking is to master the role.
The Sky showed a lack of scoring, the Mystics took advantage and scored on all sides
Chicago Sky was slow in the first half, with no scoring plays and missed passes. The Mystics took full advantage of this and scored on all sides. The first quarter ended 29-13 with guard Brittney Sykes leading the line for the Mystics with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Guard Chennedy Carter looks to keep the Sky in distance of a potential comeback as she put in 6 points and 2 rebounds.
In the second quarter, it wasn't much different. The Sky looked to have rallied after a 36-22 scoreline where Sky was continuously knocking on the door, but the Mystics just continued to capitalize on overall mistakes. The second quarter ended in the Sky's favor 14-13, but at the half, the combined score ended at 43-29 with the Mystics at a 14 point lead. Guard Ariel Atkins led the line this time around for the Mystics as she contributed 4 points while Center Kamila Kardoso fought for the Sky as she provided 6 points and 4 rebounds.
Kardoso spoke post-game on why the scoring wasn't there tonight for the Sky.
"Honestly, I just think we weren't here today. Like, this is not how we play. This is not how we have played this entire season. I honestly just think everything was off, offense and defense. We weren't shooting the ball. We weren't guarding."
Sky looked to respond in the second half, but Mystics continued to double and triple halftime score
The second half wasn't much different as the Sky tried responding to their 14-point deficit, but the hole they put themselves in was just too big. In the second half, the Mystics continued to double and triple their halftime scoreline. The third quarter ended 28-19 with the overall score at 71-48, with the Mystics now in a 23-point lead. Forward Aaliyah Edwards showed up for the Mystics in the third quarter as she ended with 10 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist while Kardoso continued to fight for Sky as she put in 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The fourth quarter then proved nothing more than a confirmation of the poor performance shown by the Sky as the Mystics continued to outperform and outscore them. The fourth quarter ended 18-10 while the game ended overall at 89-58. The Mystics dominated the game with much of the credit to forward Aaliyah Edwards who finished the game with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists. Carter contributed the most for Sky's disappointing game as she finished with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.
Star of the Game
Guard Chennedy Carter was the "Star of the Game" and the only bright spot in a sour performance by the Sky. She racked up an impressive 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. The Texas A&M product and fourth overall pick in round one of the 2020 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream was the best player on the court, but her contributions were unable to give the Sky the win. Carter and the Sky will look to move past this game quickly and be ready for the next game to secure the last playoff spot.
What's Next?
The Sky will want to shake off this loss fast as they look to secure the last playoff spot when they play away from home at Target Center against the Minnesota Lynx on Friday, September 13th, at 6:30 p.m. central.
The Mystics will look to brew something positive from this win and continue to fight for the last playoff spot as they play away from home at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park against the Atlanta Dreams on Friday, September 13th, at 6:30 p.m. central.
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