The Windy City hosted the desert and seems like it is a sandstorm for them. A major reason for their slow performance in the first half? There was no Chennedy Carter on the floor to run some fast-paced game. And speed is where the Chicago Sky is most comfortable. While this may or may not be the reason for the Sky’s laid-back performance tonight, it definitely is affecting the fans.

The Phoenix Mercury gave some rough time to the hosts tonight. In the first half, the Sky only scored 28 points. Contrastingly, the Mercury rained threes on them and ended the first 20 minutes of the game with 50 points. Angel Reese, the Sky’s star rookie only grabbed 3 points with 8 rebounds in her first 17 minutes of floor time.

In fact, Lindsay Allen and Michaela Onyenwere were the only leading scorers for the team. Each only had 5 points. Certainly, there is no doubt that the team was missing their fast-break points creator, Chennedy Carter.

Previously, Chicago fans heard the worst news they could have known. Earlier in the month, beat writer for the Sky, Julia Poe, announced that Chennedy Carter injured herself during the limping. Her X tweet read, “Chennedy Carter left practice today after appearing to roll her ankle during a full court scrimmage. Had to be helped off the court and then walked herself to the training room with a limp after untying her shoe. Came back out to rebound free throws and seemed in good spirits.”

However, she was out tonight due to a non-COVID-related illness. And we do not yet know an estimated return date for the guard. But watching the Sky in serious need of the Texas A&M alum, the fans cannot help but cry out for the star athlete.

Chicago crowd upset at the Sky as Chennedy Carter’s importance shines

In the first half of the 28th WNBA season, Chennedy Carter was the top scorer for Chicago. With her gone, Teresa Weatherspoon’s squad struggled to keep up with the visitor’s aggressive defense. Moreover, Phoenix, being one of the better three-point shooting teams currently, ensured they have as much space they can with their deep shots, thanks to Kahleah Copper. In the paint, the Sky’s big Kamilla Cardoso couldn’t be a match to Mercury’s Brittney Griner either.

Fans were clearly upset about the turn of events, even with Sky playing on home turf. One asserted Chennedy Carter should be the MVP. Just by the fact that her influence on the team’s scoring is quite essential. While the Sky stands at the eighth playoff seed right now, the follower is simply not ecstatic as the team may be the worst in the league if their star guard is unavailable.

“Chennedy Carter should win mvp off of this shit alone, Chicago sky is the worst team in the wnba without her lmao”

Chicago is not having a good comeback in the WNBA after the Olympic break. Despite three of the starters in Mercury having played in the Olympics with no rest, traveled first from Paris to the USA and then to Chicago for this game, they fared quite well. Hence, a WNBA follower wouldn’t miss pointing out the impact of Carter’s absence who would hold the team fierce. The guard has put up 8 20+ games this season, including two 30+

“Very obvious but it’s clear how much Chennedy Carter is missed right now.”

One of the enthusiasts was quite quick to pick up on Angel Reese who has failed in shooting tonight. Going into the second half, she only had 3 points despite multiple opportunities where she missed open layups and finished the evening with 4 of 14 from the field. Though she did end up with another double-double — 11 points and 15 rebounds, some are not convinced.

“Angel Reese is a good player, but that double double streak had a lot of people fooled, she’s not who y’all think she is. Btw chennedy carter is the best player on this team and it shouldn’t even be a debate”

Remember how Marina Mabrey was quickly traded to the Connecticut Sun and no one really knew that she played her last game with the Sky? Well, after that stint, seems like the Chicago followers are not exactly trusting the franchise as Chennedy Carter’s absence from the floor sends them into a trade spiral. While she is out due to the illness and probably the twisted ankle, we cannot agree or deny this.

“Is it beef with Barbie and Chenn or is the Sky organization just this bad??? Chennedy Carter trade coming???”

Surely, Chennedy Carter adds 17.2 points on average for Chicago. Most of these are fast break points, which the competitors cannot usually keep up with. She is not only leading her team in this aspect but also the entire league; showcasing just why T-spoon has most of the offensive plays through her. And a fan mentioned just that.

“The Chicago Sky’s whole offense runs through Chennedy Carter…. Without her offense, everyone looks out of place.”

Certainly, Chennedy Carter seems to be one of the most important pieces of the puzzle for Chicago. Tonight’s game may be a proof of how the 2020 fourth overall pick’s absence laid impact against Mercury.

Stay tuned for more such updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.