Lisa Byington, known across the Midwest as the play-by-play announcer for both the Chicago Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks, has witnessed a tough 2023 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA season for the Sky. Despite high hopes for a playoff appearance, the team has been heavily impacted by injuries, with multiple key players sidelined throughout the campaign. This adversity has made <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/angel-reese/”>Angel Reese’s standout performance as the league’s leading rebounder all the more remarkable.
Byington highlighted the significance of injuries, particularly the early-season ACL tear suffered by star point guard Courtney Vandersloot, which coincided with one of the team’s best stretches. Additional absences included Ariel Atkins, Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, and Michaela Onyenwere, all vital contributors to Chicago’s lineup.
I think there was optimism of this being a playoff team. The Sky have been ravaged with injuries. At times, they’re sometimes missing three, four, five players in one game. The season shifted when Courtney Vandersloot tore her ACL. It was early in the season. The two games leading into that game, the Sky were playing some of their best basketball. Since then, Ariel Atkins has been hurt, Angel Reese has been hurt, Hailey Van Lith has been hurt, you name it, Michaela Onyenwere. You can make a starting lineup based on those names I just gave you.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Angel Reese’s Growth and On-Court Impact
Angel Reese has made remarkable strides in both her second WNBA season and her overall development as a player. Byington pointed out that Reese’s scoring has increased compared to her rookie year, while she continues to lead the league in rebounds. With the loss of Vandersloot, the team’s strategy shifted to give Reese more responsibility in ball handling and offensive creation, enabling her to demonstrate versatility beyond rebounding.
This adjustment paid off when Reese achieved her first career triple-double against Connecticut, a milestone reflecting her growing influence and the promise she holds for the Sky’s future.
She’s improved her numbers in a lot of different categories. She’s upped her scoring numbers from her rookie season to her sophomore season. She’s still leading the league in rebounding. The thing that I thought was encouraging is that in the first few games, when you lose your point guard in Courtney Vandersloot, Tyler Marsh gave Angel Reese a little bit more latitude in terms of handling the ball, creating some offense, playing more point forward. The result of that is she recorded her first triple-double in her career against Connecticut. Moments like that are significant.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Areas Identified for Reese’s Continued Development
Despite Reese’s early success, there are clear areas where she aims to improve. Byington underscored Reese’s focus on enhancing her distribution skills and finishing plays from all over the court—elements that will help her maintain and elevate her All-Star status.
Recognizing Reese’s rapid ascent as a two-time All-Star in just two seasons, Byington also highlighted how rare such achievements are for players so early in their careers.
I think distributing and finishing from all areas of the floor is something that everyone would work on. And she would say that would be the first thing that she would want to work on as well. To continue to be and play at an All-Star-caliber level. Let’s not forget that she’s been in this league for two years. She’s been an All-Star for two years. Some people have played for over a decade and haven’t been an All-Star once. So, she’s doing all the right things in her first couple of years at the pro level.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Distinct Playing Style and On-Court Partnerships
Byington emphasized Reese’s individuality as a player, noting that while comparisons to other forwards exist, Reese brings a unique style. She likened the synergy between Reese and teammate Kamilla Cardoso to a dynamic duo affectionately known as the “Skyscrapers.” This nickname reflects their complementary skill sets at the forward and center positions, which adds a distinctive edge to the Chicago Sky’s frontcourt.
I think she’s got her own unique skill set. I’m trying to think of fours. Certainly, Elena Delle Donne is different. Sylvia Fowles is different. I will say that I think it’s fun to see her paired up with Kamilla Cardoso. In Chicago, they have nicknamed the two of them the Skyscrapers. At the five and the four, they complement each other well.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Reese’s Leadership and Personality on the Team
On how Reese leads both by example and vocally, Byington described her as fiercely competitive with relentless energy that shines through on the court. Even when sidelined by injury, Reese has consistently acted as a vocal leader, energizing and inspiring teammates despite the team‘s challenges.
I can just speak for what I see on the court. I see her drive. I see her competitiveness. I see her motor. I think all three are elite. I appreciate that when she has been sitting out, she has been a vocal leader. Angel has been one of the biggest voices on the team this year. And I love, just from a basketball standpoint, observing that from her and how she’s been able to try to lead this team.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
The Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Dynamic Beyond Fan Rivalry
Byington addressed the often hyped rivalry between Angel Reese and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, pointing out that much of the tension is fan-generated rather than stemming from the players themselves. Both athletes have publicly downplayed the rivalry, despite their connection through the national championship game and their rookie year status.
The geographical closeness between Indiana and Chicago adds to the perception of a rivalry, yet Byington stressed that neither Reese nor Clark fuels the media fire around their competition.
The fans, I think, create the fire, honestly, between Caitlin and Angel. (Clark and Reese) have been asked about the rivalry, and they both have shut it down and pooh-poohed it. They will always be connected because of the national championship game and because of the proximity between Indiana and Chicago. Because they’re both rookies in the same year and now second-year players in the same year. But the fire of this and the controversy, that is stirred up by the fans. I don’t think it’s stirred up by Angel or Caitlin.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Historical Context of the Fever vs. Sky Rivalry
While the Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark rivalry is a recent phenomenon, Byington reminded fans of the longstanding competition between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, which dates back to the early 2010s. Rivalries between these franchises were shaped by key figures such as Pokey Chatman and Lin Dunn as head coaches, and players like Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, and Courtney Vandersloot. She emphasized the importance of preserving and renewing this broader team rivalry rather than focusing solely on individual player dynamics.
The Fever and the Sky, the rivalry started way back in 2013, 2014, 2015, when Pokey Chatman was the head coach with the Sky and Lin Dunn was the head coach with the Fever. Tamika Catchings was one of the prime players for the Fever, and Sylvia Fowles and Courtney Vandersloot. They were the mainstays of the Sky. And so people don’t realize that the Fever-Sky rivalry, because of proximity, because those two teams would always end up meeting each other in the playoffs, started way before Caitlin and Angel. I think it’s important to acknowledge that. I think rivalry is a great word. I would love to see, as franchises, not an Angel-Caitlin rivalry, I would love to see the Fever and the Sky rivalry continue to be rejuvenated. I think rivalries are healthy in sports. But when you’re starting to pit players against players, I think that’s where it gets a little bit dangerous. I think some of that fuel is really fan-based.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Significance of Byington’s Role as a Trailblazing Broadcaster
Lisa Byington also reflected on her historic 2021 appointment as the NBA’s first full-time female TV play-by-play announcer for a men’s team, the Milwaukee Bucks. She discussed the responsibilities of being a role model not only for women and girls but also boys and men, striving to be recognized simply as a broadcaster rather than being singled out by gender.
Byington envisions a future where female voices in men’s sports become common and unremarkable, blending into the background of sports broadcasting without drawing special attention.
I understand the uniqueness of the hire and being a role model to men and women, to boys and girls, because it’s not just women and girls that are part of the story. So when I go into year number five, and I put on my headset and it’s game day, I’m not thinking of myself as a female broadcaster or a female announcer. I’m just thinking of myself as a broadcaster and an announcer. I think that’s how you have to approach it in the day-to-day, is how you go about being the best team announcer that you can be.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
It’s my hope that female voices doing ‘men’s sports’ would eventually become background noise. Background noise to me is when you have a game on in the background, and you’re not thinking twice about who the announcers are. Because (when) we hear a female voice, I think a lot of us stop what we’re doing and we try to figure out who that female voice is. It’s my hope and dream that hires like this can eventually lead to more hires, and they have, throughout the league. Eventually, a female voice on an NBA game or a football game will become background noise. People won’t think twice about who that female announcer is.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Memorable Moments in Broadcasting Career
Byington named calling Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career-high 60-plus point game against the Pacers in December 2023 as one of her favorite experiences. The game was memorable not only for Giannis’ milestone but also for the excitement it brought to Milwaukee fans. She also recalled Damian Lillard’s thrilling game-winning shot against Sacramento, emphasizing how the moment energized the home crowd.
And Damian Lillard had one of his Dame Time moments. He had a game-winner (against Sacramento). That was fun. It came at home, and the place just absolutely exploded.
—Lisa Byington, Chicago Sky Play-by-Play Announcer
Looking Ahead for Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky
Despite the many hurdles this season, Angel Reese’s relentless effort and leadership have stood out as beacons of hope for the Sky. Her growth as a rebounder and versatile player under adversity shows promise for the franchise’s path forward. As the Sky aim to rebuild health and cohesion, Reese’s evolution will likely remain central to their efforts to recapture postseason success.
Lisa Byington’s insights underscore Reese’s significance not only as a top rebounder but also as an emerging leader whose presence inspires confidence within a team navigating a difficult campaign.