The Chicago Sky probably didn’t anticipate that their playoff hopes would become as precarious as they are now. Currently riding the longest active losing streak in the league with seven straight defeats, the Sky find themselves clinging to the eighth seed, tied in the standings with the Atlanta Dream. While rookie forward Angel Reese has been a bright spot, consistently delivering standout performances in her debut season, former legend Sue Bird has revealed what actually cost the Sky post the All-Star break.

Recently, Sue Bird shared her thoughts on the Chicago Sky’s game against the Indiana Fever, highlighting how the Sky, despite a promising start, ended up losing the game. “You could just tell, even though the sky actually started well. It was kind of closer. They don’t have Chennedy Carter. They traded Mabry. Those were like their two scorers. So now you have none. And trying to fill that is tough,” stated the former Seattle star via A Touch More.

Chennedy Carter, the Sky’s leading scorer this season, has been noticeably absent for the last four games, as reports indicate that the guard is sidelined due to health and safety protocols. With an impressive average of 17.2 points per game and earning the Player of the Month title in July, her absence is certainly felt on the court. Well, the player who could have balanced out the absence of Carter is no longer an option after a move that was initiated by the Sky itself.

Just before the Olympic break, the Sky made a bold move by trading their second-leading scorer, Marina Mabrey, to the Connecticut Sun. Mabrey wasn’t just a key scorer but also a vital playmaker for the team. Even though she departed in July, she still leads the team in assists, averaging 4.5 per game. The absence of these top scorers is certainly a challenge for the Sky, but they can be grateful that their rookie player is still stepping up with standout performances.

Angel Reese shines bright amid Sky’s struggles

Angel Reese has been nothing short of impressive in her rookie season. Despite the Sky’s recent loss to the Aces, Reese delivered yet another standout performance, recording a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds. This marks her ninth double-double in the last 10 games, showcasing her consistency and impact on the court.

Just before her latest game, she set a new WNBA single-season rebounding record with 19 boards in a tough loss to the Minnesota Lynx. By surpassing Sylvia Fowles’ previous record of 408 rebounds, Reese is now on track to become the first player in WNBA history to achieve 500 points and 500 rebounds in a single season. With 438 points and 434 rebounds already under her belt and seven games remaining, she’s closing in on this historic milestone.

“But it’ll be interesting to see how the season kind of winds down for the Sky,” Bird remarked, as the team’s playoff hopes hang in the balance. The final playoff spot might not be secured until the very last day of the regular season, as the battle is fierce, with three other teams also vying for the chance to clinch it.Stay tuned for more such updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show.” Our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.