The Chicago Sky suffered a devastating 91-85 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night, a game marred by a stunning collapse in the fourth quarter and a dominant performance by Sun center Kamilla Cardoso against Sky forward Angel Reese.

While the Sky built a commanding 21-point lead in the first half, it evaporated in the second half as Cardoso relentlessly exploited Reese on both ends of the court, ultimately contributing to another frustrating defeat for the struggling Chicago franchise.

The game wasn’t just a loss; it was a stark illustration of the growing pains facing the Sky and a concerning display of Reese’s defensive limitations against a seasoned post player.

The first half belonged entirely to the Sky. Led by a balanced scoring attack and aggressive defense, Chicago seemingly had everything under control.

They shot efficiently from the field, controlled the rebounding battle, and forced the Sun into numerous turnovers. Reese, in particular, appeared to be finding her rhythm, contributing offensively and showcasing her trademark energy.

However, the Sun began to adjust their strategy at halftime, recognizing Reese’s vulnerability defending larger, more skilled post players. They started feeding the ball to Cardoso repeatedly, isolating her against Reese in the paint. This proved to be a disastrous mismatch for the Sky.

Cardoso, the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, began to assert her dominance. She relentlessly attacked Reese, utilizing her size, strength, and polished post moves to score at will. Reese struggled to contain Cardoso, often fouling her or allowing easy baskets.

Cardoso finished the game with a monstrous 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks, completely controlling the paint and disrupting the Sky’s offensive flow.

Her presence also drew fouls on Reese, limiting her aggressiveness and forcing her to play cautiously. The Sun’s entire offensive strategy shifted to exploiting this mismatch, and the Sky had no answer.

The fourth quarter was a complete meltdown for Chicago. The 21-point lead dwindled rapidly as Cardoso continued to punish Reese and the Sun’s perimeter players found their shooting touch.

The Sky’s offense stagnated, relying heavily on isolation plays that proved ineffective against the Sun’s increasingly confident defense. Turnovers mounted, and the team’s body language visibly deteriorated.

The Sun, sensing the Sky’s desperation, capitalized on their mistakes, executing flawlessly down the stretch and ultimately completing the improbable comeback. The atmosphere in the arena shifted dramatically, from a confident buzz to a stunned silence as the Sky’s lead vanished.

Angel Reese’s performance, or lack thereof in the second half, was a major talking point. While she showed flashes of brilliance in the first half, she was largely neutralized by Cardoso after the break. She finished the game with 13 points and 7 rebounds, but her impact was significantly diminished by her defensive struggles and foul trouble.

Many analysts questioned whether Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon should have made adjustments to protect Reese from Cardoso, perhaps by doubling the post or switching defensive assignments.

However, Weatherspoon stuck with her initial strategy, seemingly believing that Reese could adjust and overcome the challenge. That decision ultimately backfired.

The loss is particularly concerning for the Sky, who are still searching for an identity and consistency. They’ve shown flashes of potential, but they’ve also been prone to inexplicable collapses. This game highlighted their lack of experience and their inability to close out games against quality opponents.

The team’s reliance on young players like Reese and Chennedy Carter is evident, and they’re still learning how to navigate the challenges of a long and demanding WNBA season. The coaching staff needs to find a way to instill more discipline and resilience in the team, and to develop a more consistent offensive and defensive strategy.

The post-game reaction was overwhelmingly critical of Reese’s defensive performance. Social media was flooded with comments questioning her ability to defend elite post players, and some even called for her to be benched.

While such criticism may be harsh, it’s undeniable that she has a significant amount of work to do on that end of the court. She needs to improve her positioning, her strength, and her understanding of defensive rotations.

The Sky’s coaching staff needs to prioritize her defensive development, providing her with the necessary tools and guidance to become a more versatile and effective player.

Teresa Weatherspoon, in her post-game press conference, acknowledged the team’s collapse and took responsibility for the loss. She defended Reese, stating that she’s still a young player who is learning and growing. However, she also admitted that Cardoso exposed a weakness in the Sky’s defense and that they need to find a way to address it.

Weatherspoon emphasized the importance of rebounding and limiting turnovers, and she vowed to work with her players to improve in those areas. She also expressed confidence that the team will bounce back from this setback.

The Sun’s victory was a testament to their resilience and their ability to execute their game plan. Head coach Stephanie White made excellent adjustments at halftime, recognizing Reese’s vulnerability and exploiting it to perfection.

Cardoso’s dominant performance was the key to their comeback, but the Sun’s perimeter players also stepped up, hitting crucial shots and playing solid defense. This win solidified their position as a contender in the Eastern Conference and sent a clear message to the rest of the league.

Looking ahead, the Sky face a challenging schedule. They need to find a way to overcome their defensive deficiencies, improve their consistency, and develop a more reliable offensive attack.

The development of players like Reese and Carter will be crucial to their success. They also need to find a way to utilize their other players more effectively and to create a more balanced team. This loss to the Sun was a painful lesson, but it’s also an opportunity for the Sky to learn and grow.

If they can address their weaknesses and embrace a more disciplined approach, they have the potential to become a competitive team in the WNBA. The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but the Sky have the talent and the potential to turn things around.