After a disastrous start to their 2025 WNBA campaign, the Chicago Sky sparked into life with a fantastic 78-66 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Rookie head coach Tyler Marsh will be delighted that the vision he has for this roster of players is finally coming to fruition. Nevertheless, consistency will be the key if this franchise is to swing momentum in its favour and catapult itself up the regular season standings.
However, for now, Marsh can bask in the glory of the tactical tweaks he applied, which allowed one sensational superstar and a remarkable rookie to showcase the slickest offensive performance under the head coach's tutelage,
Angel Reese etches her name in the history books
Despite league-wide criticism for her performances in 2025, Reese put on a basketball masterclass against Connecticut and became the second-youngest player to record a triple-double in WNBA history - behind her Indiana nemesis, Caitlin Clark. The 23-year-old recorded 11 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high 11 assists as the Sky registered just their third win in 10 regular-season matchups.
Reese's shot was still not as efficient as she would expect, as she ended the game with just two of her seven field goal attempts passing through the net. Yet, the sophomore star impressively found other areas in which she could make her presence felt, especially on the defensive end of the floor. The LSU graduate blocked two shots and stole the ball on three occasions, which was the catalyst for a devastating transition offense.
In addition, 10 of Reese's 13 rebounds were snatched on the defensive end of the floor, eradicating any 'stat-padding' argument that opposing fan bases may put forward. Mastering the 'point forward' role could pay dividends for Marsh, as Chicago is currently drained of creativity after the legendary Courtney Vandersloot sustained a devastating season-ending ACL injury. Reese will be desperate to replicate this staggering performance on a more consistent basis.
Hailey Van Lith capitalises on her opportunity
Before the victory over Connecticut, Van Lith had cut a frustrated figure on the Sky bench due to her restricted role in the rotation during her rookie campaign, averaging just 13.2 minutes per appearance. Nevertheless, the rookie star relentlessly seized her opportunity after being unleashed on the Sun's defense for around 24 minutes.
Marsh will have no qualms about enhancing the 23-year-old's responsibility in future games as she exhibited her magnificent ability to be the team's primary ball handler. Van Lith was aggressive throughout her minutes on the court, driving through traffic and finishing under serious pressure on several occasions - finishing the game as Chicago's leading scorer with a career-high 16 points and scoring six of her eight field-goal attempts.
The TCU graduate led the Sky in point differential (+23) on the night and was a key component in Angel Reese's triple-double antics. A breathtaking chemistry between the two stars manufactured an unstoppable pick-and-roll action and provided the Sun with a problem that proved impossible to solve. Hailey Van Lith has presented an irrefutable case to become a starter for this struggling franchise, as they still hope to secure a playoff berth.