The Chicago Sky wrapped up their west coast road trip with a 79-69 loss to the Seattle Storm on Saturday, Aug. 30, inside Climate Pledge Arena. With the defeat, Chicago dropped to 9-30 on the season, 6-15 against the Western Conference, and 4-15 on the road. Historically, the Sky are now 21-29 all-time against the Storm.
Game Flow and Key Runs
The game tilted in Seattle’s favor during the second quarter, where the Storm outscored the Sky 22-15. Chicago bounced back with a strong third, winning the frame 16-13 and even putting together an 8-0 run spanning the end of the third into the fourth. But Seattle responded with a decisive 14-4 burst midway through the final quarter to put the game away.
Chicago’s Bright Spots
Angel Reese continued her standout sophomore season with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance — her 22nd double-double of the season and the 47th of her young career. She has now posted five straight double-doubles, further cementing her place among Chicago’s most productive frontcourt players. Michaela Onyenwere chipped in 11 points on efficient shooting, while Kamilla Cardoso posted nine points and 10 rebounds. Elizabeth Williams added nine points off the bench.
Reese also made history, passing Candice Dupree (287) for second place on Chicago’s all-time offensive rebounding leaderboard. With 288 offensive boards, she now trails only Sylvia Fowles (511). At her current rebounding pace, Reese is projected to claim the franchise record by her fourth season.
Storm’s Balance Proves Too Much
Seattle’s win was powered by a balanced attack with six players in double figures. Nneka Ogwumike led all Storm scorers with 20 points, while Ezi Magbegor contributed 13 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Gabby Williams and Skylar Diggins each finished with 12, and Erica Wheeler and Brittney Sykes added 11 apiece.
The Storm also dominated the small margins. They were perfect from the free throw line, hitting all 18 attempts, while the Sky shot just 56% from the stripe (14 of 25). Seattle capitalized on Chicago’s mistakes, scoring 30 points off 22 turnovers, compared to Chicago’s 16 points off 13 Storm miscues.
Statistical Breakdown
- Rebounds: Chicago 37, Seattle 28
- Points in the Paint: Chicago 46, Seattle 34
- Second-Chance Points: Chicago 17, Seattle 6
- Three-Pointers: Chicago 1 of 10 (10%), Seattle 7 of 21 (33.3%)
- Turnovers: Chicago 22 (leading to 38% of Seattle’s points), Seattle 13
My Take
The Chicago Sky have talent, and at times they flash their potential — like in their victory over the Liberty earlier this year. But their most glaring weakness remains the lack of a true point guard. Rachel Banham is an excellent shooter and can make plays, but labeling her as a dominant floor general is a stretch.
Looking ahead, the Sky are projected to have a top-five pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. If the ping-pong balls fall their way, pairing Angel Reese with a dynamic point guard such as Olivia Miles could be transformative. Another scoring option like Azzi Fudd, or even reuniting Reese with her LSU teammate Flau’Jae Johnson, would bring intrigue as well.
For now, turnovers remain the Achilles’ heel. Seattle’s lead ballooned to double digits largely because Chicago couldn’t protect the ball. Yet even in defeat, Angel Reese showed real growth as an inside scorer, attacking the basket with confidence and showcasing quick defensive instincts. She has the tools to develop into a dominant big — but she needs a true facilitator to maximize her potential. Great point guards elevate their teammates, as seen with Caitlin Clark, Jordin Canada, and Chelsea Gray, and Reese deserves that same opportunity.
The book on the 2025 Chicago Sky may be nearly closed, but the story of what this team could become next year is just beginning.
Next Up
Chicago returns home to Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 3, for their penultimate home game of the season against the Connecticut Sun. The Sky are 1-2 against Connecticut this season and 33-39 all-time. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will air locally on The U.
