The Chicago Sky had a good chance to end their losing streak against the Golden State Valkyries on Friday. However, they blew an eight-point lead late in the third quarter and allowed their opponents to take control in the final frame.
Chicago saw its biggest lead of the contest when it went up 54-46 with 1:37 left to play in the third. Nonetheless, the Valkyries responded with a 6-0 run to end the quarter and cut the Sky's lead to two.
In the fourth, Golden State picked up where it left off and went on a 12-2 run to turn things around and gain an eight-point advantage. Chicago was never able to recover, playing catch-up after that before eventually losing 73-66.
With Angel Reese out due to a back injury, Elizabeth Williams led the way for the Sky. She finished with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, along with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Three others scored in double figures for Chicago, including Kamilla Cardoso who had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
No one from the Valkyries scored more than 20 points either, but Veronica Burton recorded 18 points and seven assists. Janelle Salaun, meanwhile, had 16 points and nine boards.
Speaking to reporters after the contest, head coach Tyler Marsh admitted that their loss in the tight game can be attributed to one thing: execution. Simply put, Golden State was able to score when it mattered most, while Chicago didn't.
"I thought the entire game came down to execution and GSV was able to execute on both ends of the floor better than we were," Marsh said, per WNBA reporter Karli Bell.
It's worth noting that the Sky scored just 12 points in the fourth quarter, making just six of their 19 shot attempts.
The Sky dropped to 7-20 on the season with their latest loss, keeping them at No. 12 in the WNBA standings.
Prior to Friday's showdown, ESPN's WNBA Basketball Power Index gave them less than a 1% chance to make the postseason. Sure enough, every loss pulls them farther away from turning things around.
Despite their slim chances of actually making the postseason, though, Marsh is not giving up on his team or the campaign.
"I think we got to continue to use the togetherness we have been," Marsh stated. "This season isn't over by any stretch and that should be enough to put forth the work ethic and drive to be teammates."
It remains to be seen if Chicago can actually make its way back and contend for a playoff spot, but it won't be easy. The team has 17 games remaining following its latest loss, with the next one against the No. 5 Phoenix Mercury.
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