It has been an underwhelming start to the 2025 WNBA season for the Chicago Sky and newly appointed head coach, Tyler Marsh. The franchise has now slipped to a worrying 0-4 record after the Phoenix Mercury's dominant fourth quarter saw the Sky suffer a 89-94 defeat.
Despite the fourth consecutive defeat, this was Chicago's most impressive performance of the season so far, which has provided their loyal fan base with a glimmer of hope in a year that is currently shrouded in darkness. Marsh's squad of players exhibited signs of life that could suggest that the Sky are not ready to give up on their ambitious postseason target just yet.
Angel Reese showcased impressive defensive capabilities
Reese has been rightfully criticized for her offensive woes at the start of her sophomore campaign, as the star is currently averaging just 10 points per game while shooting a highly inefficient 31 percent from the floor. The 23-year-old has been burdened with an interchanging ball-handling role with legendary playmaker Courtney Vandersloot, a role that has not suited the forward in her first four games. She is currently averaging 4.3 turnovers per game.
However, Reese reverted to basics in an attempt to rediscover her best form and contributed heavily on defense. She demonstrated her most resilient performance of the season, registering two blocks, three steals, and 10 defensive rebounds for Chicago. Not only did this show a better representation of Reese's true abilities, but it also greatly benefited her teammates as the Sky led 71-67 after three quarters.
The 'Windy City's' rookie head coach must attempt to profit off the sophomore star's sensational defensive capabilities if his team wants to make an assault on the playoff seedings. This defensive performance should come as no surprise to Marsh, as Reese was named the first-ever Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year this winter.
Kamilla Cardoso proved she could be a weapon on offense
Chicago has been crying out for an efficient finisher under the basket after a brutal offensive start to the 2025 WNBA campaign, which is exactly what the Brazilian sophomore presented herself as during the matchup with Phoenix. In just 27 minutes on the floor, Cardoso scored 16 points while shooting around 57 percent from the field.
What was highly impressive about the center's performance was her ability to finish through contact under the rim. The star has shown that she is willing to build upon the ample foundations she laid in her rookie year to contribute to the Sky's offensive woes, a year in which the star averaged 9.8 points per game and registered a field goal percentage of 52.1 percent.
Cardoso is far from the finished product on offense as she did not manage to draw a single foul despite finding herself in a physical battle with her assignment, Kathryn Westbeld. Nevertheless, Chicago's third overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft has shown a clear indication to her head coach that she is ready for a larger role on the offensive end of the floor.
Ariel Atkins was finally utilized effectively
It has taken four games, but Tyler Marsh has finally found an effective way to involve Ariel Atkins in the offensive game plan. After Atkins was acquired from the Washington Mystics in exchange for Chicago's third overall pick in the 2025 draft, it was assumed that the guard would feature heavily on offense. Yet, the 28-year-old only managed 20 field goal attempts in her first three games for the Sky.
After tweaking the tactics for their matchup against the Mercury, the 2021 WNBA champions manufactured the opportunity for Atkins to score a season-high 21 points and register 15 field-goal attempts. Despite only shooting 46.7 percent from the floor, the fact that the former Mystics guard has begun to settle into her surroundings will leave supporters of the franchise feeling a sense of optimism that this development could propel the Sky to their first victory in the coming days.