Despite prolonged struggles and a midweek flight out of Las Vegas, everything still is coming up sevens for the Chicago Sky.
Chicago enters Friday’s matchup with the visiting Los Angeles Sparks on a seven-game losing streak with seven games remaining in the regular season. While their WNBA counterparts have clinched the first seven playoff spots, the struggling Sky (11-22) hold a tiebreaker over the Atlanta Dream for the final slot.
The sense of urgency that set in for Chicago long ago isn’t going away.
Chicago has lost seven straight for the first time since 2021. The latest defeat came at Las Vegas on Tuesday, as the Aces relied on an early scoring spree and late run for a 90-71 win.
Michaela Onyenwere (15 points), Kamilla Cardoso (14), Evans (13) and Angel Reese (12) scored in double figures for the Sky. Reese added 16 rebounds as her WNA rookie record for double-doubles grew to 25.
At 7-26, Los Angeles remains in slim mathematical playoff contention but trails Chicago, Atlanta, Washington and Dallas with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Sparks stopped a seven-game slide with a 94-88 win against league-leading New York on Aug. 28 but have lost two straight since — against Atlanta and at Indiana.
Odyssey Sims paced LA with 20 points in Wednesday’s 93-86 loss to the Fever. Azura Stevens posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 boards while Dearica Hamby and reserve Rae Burrell scored 16 points apiece.
Sky leading scorer Chennedy Carter (17.2 points per game) practiced Thursday, per reports. Carter hasn’t played since Aug. 25 due to health and safety protocols.