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Chicago Sky Make Hailey Van Lith Announcement Before Mercury Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi M. Dombro | Last updated May 27, 2025 6:43 PM ET

The Chicago Sky are tied for the last place in the Eastern Conference standings after an 0-3 start to the 2025 WNBA season.

They started the season with back-to-back non-competitive losses to 2024 playoff teams, the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty. However, they lost by 13 points at the hands of the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, who went 8-32 last season.

Angel Reese, who made the 2024 WNBA All-Star team, is leading the way for Chicago through three games with averages 9.0 points and a league-leading 13.7 rebounds per night. Highly touted rookie Hailey Van Lith is yet to fully crack the rotation, averaging just under 10 minutes per night.

Van Lith also missed the team's recent game against the Sparks on Sunday due to an ankle injury she sustained. However, she was originally listed as questionable for Tuesday night's contest against the 3-1 Phoenix Mercury.

The Sky officially announced on Tuesday afternoon, however, that Van Lith was out for the team's fourth game of the year against the Mercury.

"Per the Sky: Hailey Van Lith (ankle) is OUT, but Moriah Jefferson (leg) is AVAILABLE for tonight’s game against the Mercury," Duncan wrote.

Per the Sky:

Hailey Van Lith (ankle) is OUT, but Moriah Jefferson (leg) is AVAILABLE for tonight’s game against the Mercury.
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 27, 2025

In her first two career games, Van Lith played four and 15 minutes. She scored four points in each contest, and dished out six assists against the Liberty in her second WNBA appearance.

Chicago traveling to Phoenix is a tough matchup, as the Mercury are a perfect 3-0 at home during the 2025 WNBA season. The Sky are still looking for their first win under first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, and they will have an opportunity to earn one when the game tips off at 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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