Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Sky are approaching the halfway mark of the 2024 WNBA season under the leadership of first-year head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. The team has focused on three key areas: offensive rebounding, balanced scoring, and addressing struggles at the free-throw line.

### Offensive Rebounding

Rookie Angel Reese has emerged as a pivotal player for the Sky, particularly in offensive rebounding. The team leads the league with 11.5 offensive rebounds per game and ranks second in offensive rebounding percentage at 34.4%. Reese averages 4.8 offensive boards per game, a figure that could become the highest since Yolanda Griffith's record in 2001.

Elizabeth Williams also contributed significantly before her knee injury, averaging 2.8 offensive rebounds per game through her first nine games. Kamilla Cardoso has stepped up as well, ranking second in the league with 3.2 offensive rebounds per game over her first 11 contests.

Despite injuries limiting their time together on the court, Reese, Williams, and Cardoso have kept the Sky competitive on the boards.

### Balanced Scoring Attack

The Sky's scoring is distributed across multiple players rather than relying on a few key individuals. Marina Mabrey has been one of the leading scorers through 17 games, known for her three-point shooting and career-high average of 4.1 assists per game.

Dana Evans is having her best offensive season to date, using her speed and ball-handling skills to create opportunities for herself and her teammates. Inside players like Reese (13.3 points per game) and Williams (10 points per game) contribute to the team's post-up abilities along with Cardoso.

Chennedy Carter transitioned from a bench role to a starter, averaging 19 points since joining the starting lineup and shooting at an impressive rate of 54.8%.

The team's depth allows them to maintain high energy levels throughout games by rotating nine different players for over 11 minutes each per game. This strategy contributes to their fourth-place ranking in pace and third place in fastbreak points.

Players like Michaela Onyenwere, Diamond DeShields, Brianna Turner, Isabelle Harrison, Lindsay Allen have all made significant contributions when called upon.

### Struggles at the Free Throw Line

One area where improvement is needed is free-throw shooting. Despite leading the league in shots attempted at the rim per game, they are tied for last place with a free-throw percentage of only 75.1%.

However, there are signs of progress as players like Reese have shown improvement from earlier in the season; she increased her free-throw percentage from 71.2% to 82.4% over recent games.

With continued development from key players and improved performance at the line from others such as Evans—who made all ten of her free throws against Dallas—the Sky have potential for success moving forward.

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