LAS VEGAS – The Sky went into the Olympic break on a high after an away win over the Aces in mid-July.
Seven weeks after that game, the excitement had long since faded and in its place was a barely recognizable team. The Sky returned to the desert in despair, hoping for their second win since the end of the break on August 16. Instead, they suffered their seventh consecutive defeat.
The Aces beat the Sky, who continued to be without their top scorer Chennedy Carter, comfortably 90-71 on Tuesday evening.
“We’re not a team that’s throwing in the towel,” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “We know we still have a damn good chance (of making the playoffs), and we’ve got to go out there and play the type of basketball we know we can play to win games.”
The Sky are 1-8 since returning from the Olympic break and have averaged 76.1 points per game during that time, the lowest in the league. Weatherspoon said she is not one to make excuses, but attributed those numbers to her health.
The Sky were without Carter for a fourth straight game, who remains in health and safety protocols. Carter scored at least 20 points in the last three games against the Aces. Weatherspoon said the team expects Carter to be available on Friday against the Sparks.
“We’ll see when we get home and get more hands-on experience where she is,” Weatherspoon said. “It will be great to have her back with us.”
Michaela Onyenwere led the Sky with 15 points. Angel Reese recorded her 25th double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
But the Sky’s top players were no match for the Aces’ performance. MVP favorite A’ja Wilson scored the most points of the game with 30 points (21 in the second half) and 14 rebounds. Tiffany Hayes contributed 20 points and Chelsea Gray had 13 points and 10 assists.
The Aces outscored the Sky 36-28 in the basket and made 52.5% of their shots from the field. Turnovers were again a problem for the Sky, allowing 19 points on 18 turnovers.
“We have to get better,” said Dana Evans, who scored 13 points. “I have to get better. This is just unacceptable. We just said the same thing. Watch the film. Go to the gym. Get better.”
Evans’ last three statements spoke volumes, but even more so for their exhausting tone. They showed how exhausted Sky feels in the face of this downward spiral, despite assurances that they are not throwing in the towel.
Despite the Sky’s worst losing streak since 2021, they are still in the playoff race thanks to the Dream, who lost to the Mercury on Tuesday night. The Sky and Dream are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot with seven games remaining for both teams.
“This league is so good,” Evans said. “If you can handle this loss, you’re not good enough for the next game. We just have to be ready to play. It doesn’t stop. We don’t give up. We won’t give up. We want to get to the playoffs. That’s obviously the goal.”
