Chicago Sky find a way despite a dramatic Sparks comeback
There were stretches on Wednesday night at Wintrust Arena when it looked like the Chicago Sky might give the game away. They built a lead, watched it evaporate and then had to summon something extra in the fourth quarter to make sure the night ended the right way. It did. Chicago defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 95 to 88, improving to 12 wins and 19 losses on the season.
The win was not always pretty, but it was complete when it mattered most. A balanced offensive effort, a productive bench and a veteran point guard who seemed to be everywhere at once gave the Sky enough to hold on.
Cloud sets the tone from the opening tip
Natasha Cloud was the engine that kept Chicago moving throughout the night. The veteran guard finished with 15 points and nine assists, tying her season high in the latter category. Her fingerprints were on nearly every productive possession the Sky generated, particularly in the first quarter when she was directly involved in 19 of Chicago’s 33 first quarter points through scoring and playmaking.
Since entering the starting lineup in early July, Cloud has averaged 6.1 assists per game, and the Sky have gone 6 and 5 in that stretch. Wednesday was a reminder of why that insertion changed the team’s identity.
Five Sky players reach double figures
Chicago’s offensive balance was the other defining feature of the night. Five players scored in double digits, spreading the workload in a way that made the Sky difficult to gameplan against.
Kamilla Cardoso and Jacy Sheldon joined Cloud at 15 points apiece, with Cardoso adding seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in another well-rounded performance. Sheldon reached a season high in scoring and matched it with a season best three made three-pointers, also contributing on the defensive end with two blocks and a steal.
Rookie Aicha Coulibaly continued her encouraging recent run with 13 points on 80 percent shooting from the field, hitting all five of her free throw attempts. The performance also pushed her past 100 career points. Elizabeth Williams posted a season high 14 points on efficient shooting, continuing a stretch in which she has averaged over eight points per game across the past six contests.
Courtney Vandersloot contributed nine points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Off the bench, Rachel Banham added eight points, three assists and three rebounds in 13 minutes.
The Sparks storm back and briefly take the lead
Los Angeles did not go quietly. After Chicago built a lead as large as 15 points, the Sparks mounted a significant third quarter rally, outscoring the Sky 24 to 13 in the period and briefly taking a one-point lead midway through the quarter.
Dearica Hamby powered the Sparks throughout, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Erica Wheeler contributed 14 points and five assists, while Rae Burrell added 13 points efficiently. Nneka Ogwumike and Cameron Brink each provided well-rounded efforts as five Sparks players reached double figures.
Los Angeles outrebounded Chicago 35 to 29 and outscored the Sky in second chance points. But when the fourth quarter arrived, Chicago reasserted control with a 22 to 9 run that effectively closed the door.
What comes next for Chicago
The Sky now turn their attention to a marquee home matchup on Saturday against the Indiana Fever, the final game of the season at the United Center. The two teams split last season, and the Fever currently hold a 1 to 0 edge in this year’s series after a dramatic overtime win that required a buzzer beating shot to force the extra period.
Indiana presents a significant challenge. Kelsey Mitchell leads the Fever in scoring at 24 points per game. Caitlin Clark averages 21.5 points and eight assists, and Aliyah Boston brings 16.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting at a career high clip from three.
Saturday’s tip is set for 2:30 p.m. Central Time on ABC.
