The Chicago Sky looked to bounce back from a 30-point loss to the Indiana Fever last Saturday in their home opener against the defending champion New York Liberty.
However, they didn’t fare much better, losing 99-74. The game showcased an obvious mismatch between the defending champions, who feature some of the best talent in the game, and a team under construction.
To say the contrast was stark would be an understatement. But understanding the context of the matchup is necessary.
The Liberty have a team of established veterans, including their core of Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, all of whom are in their third season together. They also added a spark plug in veteran guard Natasha Cloud, who can space the floor, score from all spots and has strength and quickness. In addition, they have former Sky players Rebekah Gardner and Isabelle Harrison contributing from off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Sky are in their third-straight year of rebuilding. A new head coach in Tyler Marsh is facilitating a new system that relies on offensive prowess. The team is a mix of young blood and experienced veterans who are still getting used to each other.
All of which played out on the floor. Here are the five main reasons the Sky lost:
1. Turnovers
The Sky turned the…
