CHICAGO — The Chicago Sky played their second home game of the 2024 WNBA season against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night. Chicago kept things close in the first half but a jarring momentum shift saw Seattle take a lead that was too much to overcome, resulting in a 77-68 loss. Veteran center Elizabeth Williams and head coach Teresa Weatherspoon revealed two major keys to the loss and their thoughts on Angel Reese's standout performance.
The Storm had nearly a 20-point lead late in the second half. Yet, Chicago impressively rallied and cut the deficit to five with a few minutes left in the fourth. It looked as if the Sky would make a roaring comeback, similar to their 83-74 victory over the Dallas Wings on May 18th. However, Seattle eliminated their hopes off double-digit scoring nights from Skylar Diggins-Smith and Jewell Lloyd.
Elizabeth Williams revealed that Chicago's ballhandling was the first major key to their downfall.
“I think the bigger key was we turned the ball over a lot, and when you're playing an experienced team, they [tend] to take advantage. Williams said during the post-game press conference. “When you're indecisive and you're not aggressive, good things don't typically happen. For us, it's just playing with confidence, learning each other.”
The Sky turned the ball over 22 times on Tuesday night. Teresa Weatherspoon acknowledged that Seattle's stifling defense played a role in disrupting Chicago's rhythm and more importantly, their momentum.
“You know the game is about momentum, and we gotta be momentum shifters. That's what I spoke to them about after the game…you have to be able to stop the run. In the third quarter, they kind of slipped away from us a little, but we got ourselves together, and we fought hard to the very end. And that I can be pleased with,” Weatherspoon said.
Despite the Sky losing their sorts, Angel Reese had one of the best performances of her young career.
Sky get encouraged by Angel Reese's commanding double-double against Storm
Reese finished the night with 11 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She notched her first double-double in a Chicago Sky uniform. Teresa Weatherspoon had high praise for Reese's motor after her standout night.
“She wants to compete, and she does it. She knows that everyone sees her as a rookie but she just sees herself as a player. Just a player in this game trying to get better every single day playing against some of the best in the world,” Weatherspoon said.
Moreover, Elizabeth Williams confidently confided in Reese after her effort on the boards.
“Angel's gonna rebound. That's something she came into the league doing really well, and I know she's going to continue to do that. And I know a lot of rebounding is effort and I'm gonna get that from her every night,” Williams shared.
The former LSU star looks to stay stout on both sides of the ball to help Chicago win.
The Sky wished things would have gone differently against the Storm, but Teresa Weatherspoon emphasized that the team would keep working.
“As I continue to tell you, we're learning, we're growing, and we'll get better every day,” Weatherspoon said.
Chicago wants to show growth against Cameron Brink and the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday, May 30th.
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