The Chicago Sky have an 8-26 record during the 2025 WNBA season. Under first-time head coach Tyler Marsh, the Sky got off to a slow start, and they have not been able to recuperate and pull themselves into the playoff picture all season.
With just 10 games left in the year, all eyes are on the postseason. Based on their record, the Sky were going to have an uphill battle if they wanted to claw their way into the playoffs and not be eliminated from contention.
On Tuesday night, their season hung in the balance as the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings faced off. If the Sparks won, then both Dallas and Chicago were eliminated. If the Wings pulled off the victory, then both lived to see another game.
Unfortunately for the Sky, the Sparks won on a last-second floater by All-Star guard Kelsey Plum as time expired. When the shot went in, Los Angeles emerged victorious and eliminated two fellow WNBA teams in one fell swoop.
Dallas was not able to pull off the victory despite an incredible 44-point performance from star rookie guard Paige Bueckers, an All-Star starter in her first professional season. Plum recorded 20 points in the contest as well, and Rickea Jackson added 25 for the Sparks.
Now, with still 10 games left in the regular season, the Sky will be playing for pride. The games will also determine their odds for the 2026 WNBA Draft lottery, even though they do not own their own first-round pick.
Update:
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 21, 2025
With the @LASparks 81-80 victory tonight over the Wings, both the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky have now officially been eliminated from WNBA Playoffs contention.
Chicago faced its share of obstacles during the 2025 season. Coach Marsh had a steep learning curve in his first year as the head man for a WNBA franchise, and numerous injuries plagued the Sky throughout the campaign.
Most notably, two-time All-Star forward Angel Reese has missed 10 of the team's 34 games, which is significant considering she is the team's leader in points per game, total rebounds and assists per game.
Second-year forward Kamilla Cardoso also missed several games as she fulfilled an overseas commitment. Veteran addition Ariel Atkins missed seven games as well, and rookie Hailey Van Lith had to sit out portions of the season with an injury.
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