The Chicago Sky’s season continues to unravel despite Angel Reese leading the team with strong performances. On June 13, 2025, at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, the Sky fell 88-70 to the Atlanta Dream, marking another tough loss in a season marked by inconsistency and roster challenges. With a current 2-8 record, Chicago remains stuck near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, grappling with the absence of veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot and ongoing issues that have impeded sustained success.
The matchup was expected to favor the Dream, who entered with a 6-3 record and full roster health, while Chicago’s depleted lineup faced skepticism, but the game defied early projections. Chicago momentarily held a lead and showed flashes of competitiveness, fueled by Reese and the rest of the team’s efforts. Still, Head Coach Tyler Marsh expressed clear frustration following the defeat, emphasizing the costly lapses that ultimately erased Chicago’s chances.
Mid-Game Rally Fizzles as Atlanta’s Offense Takes Over
Chicago’s brief surge in the second quarter offered hope. About six and a half minutes in, the Sky maintained a two-point advantage—their first such lead in three games. Heading into halftime, they clung to a narrow 39-38 edge despite a late rally from the Dream. However, the third quarter marked a turning point as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, scoreless in the first half, exploded for 11 points, including a buzzer-beater jumper and an opening drive three-pointer in the fourth quarter that put Atlanta ahead by seven.
The fourth quarter saw Atlanta extend their dominance. Howard hit another three-pointer with just over eight minutes remaining, pushing the Dream’s lead into double digits at 66-56. Atlanta outpaced Chicago with an 18-3 run, ultimately outscoring the Sky 30-16 in the final period to seal a decisive victory.
“We got to continue to find the positives from it. We got to do a better job of stopping the bleeding. I used a lot of our timeouts early which hurt us late.” —Tyler Marsh, Head Coach
Defensive Breakdowns and Turnover Troubles Haunt the Sky
Coach Marsh candidly pointed to defensive inconsistencies as a key factor in Chicago’s collapse.
“I thought we did as good of a job as you could do executing our defensive game plan going into the game,”
he said.
“For us, it’s about putting together a consistent ballgame for 40 minutes. I thought we did for about 30 minutes tonight.”
Unfortunately, the final stretch underscored how the Sky failed to maintain that consistency.
Offensively, Chicago showed some promise, shooting 41.2% from the field and outscoring Atlanta in the paint 40-34. Yet, these positives were overshadowed by lapses on both ends of the court. The team’s 20 assists were not enough to offset the 15 turnovers, highlighting problems with ball movement and decision-making. Marsh had identified turnovers and team movement as areas needing urgent improvement before the game.
“I think there’s two areas offensively where accountability can be had. I think that’s with turnovers and that’s with our movement.” —Tyler Marsh, Head Coach
The Absence of Key Veteran Courtney Vandersloot Weighs Heavily
The Sky’s struggle to find stability is closely tied to the absence of Courtney Vandersloot, whose veteran leadership and playmaking have yet to be replaced. Hailey Van Lith, still adapting to a new role, has not fully filled the void Vandersloot’s absence has created. This has resulted in structural issues within the team’s offensive flow and defensive coordination, as reflected in their uneven performances across contests.
Despite the turmoil, Angel Reese continues to deliver strong individual numbers, frequently posting double-doubles and anchoring both offense and defense. Still, the team’s inability to string together full games without collapse remains a troubling pattern that jeopardizes Chicago’s playoff aspirations.
Building a Future Amid Current Challenges
Sky’s front office and coaching staff acknowledge the difficulties but remain committed to a long-term vision focused on growth rather than short-term fixes. President and General Manager Emre Pagliocca has emphasized the importance of development around the team’s promising young core, including Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, and Van Lith. Instead of making hasty roster changes, they prefer to cultivate key players and foster continuity.
Pagliocca has indicated that future roster adjustments may come through monitoring international talent, particularly after EuroBasket events conclude. For now, however, Chicago is focusing inward, aiming to refine their playing identity and develop resilience through this rebuilding phase.
Impact of Recent Loss and What Lies Ahead for the Chicago Sky
This latest defeat to the Atlanta Dream epitomizes the Sky’s ongoing season-long challenges. Inability to maintain defensive intensity and offensive rhythm has repeatedly undermined their efforts. The team must address not only the technical facets like turnovers and shooting but also the mental toughness needed to avoid avoidable collapses in critical moments.
Angel Reese’s leadership on the court remains a bright spot and a foundation for potential progress. However, sustaining success will require contributions from the entire roster and improved execution from coaching strategies. With the Eastern Conference tightly contested, the Sky’s position may worsen without swift and significant improvements.
As the season continues, Chicago faces pressure to break free from their pattern of inconsistency. Their upcoming games will reveal whether lessons from this defeat translate into meaningful change or if another frustrating season awaits the team and its hopeful fan base.