Sky look for defensive answers in Atlanta
Posted on: Jun 13, 2025 04:05 IST | Posted by: Hindustantimes
The capital of georgia woolgather testament seem to persist in their strong play at home on Friday when they host the Chicago Sky and the league's worst defense in a WNBA Commissioner's Cup tilt.
Atlanta enters play as winner in five of its last six games and has won three of four at home this season. After seeing the Dream's four-game winning streak come to an end last Friday against the Connecticut Sun, first-year Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko's group rebounded with a convincing 77-58 home victory on Tuesday over a Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever squad.
Allisha Gray who leads Atlanta and ranks sixth in the league at 20.4 points per game paced the Dream with 23 points while newcomer Brionna Jones went for 21 points and 10 rebounds. After signing with Atlanta in February following eight years with the Sun, Jones has posted 13.9 points and a team-best nine rebounds per contest.
"Brionna Jones is an all-star player," Smesko said. "She's physical and very hard to guard. She knows how to seal; how to use her body. She can finish on either side with either hand. She's just an all-around excellent player and she's really having an all-star type year."
Atlanta will aim to make matters worse for a struggling Chicago team that surrenders a league-high 89.5 points per game. The Sky are also the only team in the WNBA that allows their opponent to shoot 40 percent on 3-point attempts.
Chicago's problems on the defensive end were magnified on Tuesday when the Sky entered halftime behind 52-32 en route to an 85-66 loss at New York marking the sixth time the team has allowed 85 points or more this year.
Offensively, Ariel Atkins leads the team with 13.4 points per game, followed by Courtney Vandersloot's 10.6. Vandersloot suffered a torn ACL vs. Indiana on June 7 and will miss the rest of the season.
After an underwhelming beginning to the season, star forward Angel Reese had her best offensive showing of the year in the loss to the Liberty, posting 17 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Reese knows, however, the season will turn around once the team's defense follows suit.
"Defense is just something we have to improve on and continue to get better with," Reese said. "It comes with knowing your matchup and personnel. ... I think we're all going to look at ourselves in the mirror before we point the finger at anybody else."
Field Level Media
Global News Perspectives
In today's interconnected world, staying informed about global events is more important than ever. ZisNews provides news coverage from multiple countries, allowing you to compare how different regions report on the same stories. This unique approach helps you gain a broader and more balanced understanding of international affairs. Whether it's politics, business, technology, or cultural trends, ZisNews ensures that you get a well-rounded perspective rather than a one-sided view. Expand your knowledge and see how global narratives unfold from different angles.
Customizable News Feed
At ZisNews, we understand that not every news story interests everyone. That's why we offer a customizable news feed, allowing you to control what you see. By adding keywords, you can filter out unwanted news, blocking articles that contain specific words in their titles or descriptions. This feature enables you to create a personalized experience where you only receive content that aligns with your interests. Register today to take full advantage of this functionality and enjoy a distraction-free news feed.
Like or Comment on News
Stay engaged with the news by interacting with stories that matter to you. Like or dislike articles based on your opinion, and share your thoughts in the comments section. Join discussions, see what others are saying, and be a part of an informed community that values meaningful conversations.
Download the Android App
For a seamless news experience, download the ZisNews Android app. Get instant notifications based on your selected categories and stay updated on breaking news. The app also allows you to block unwanted news, ensuring that you only receive content that aligns with your preferences. Stay connected anytime, anywhere.
Diverse News Categories
With ZisNews, you can explore a wide range of topics, ensuring that you never miss important developments. From Technology and Science to Sports, Politics, and Entertainment, we bring you the latest updates from the world's most trusted sources. Whether you are interested in groundbreaking scientific discoveries, tech innovations, or major sports events, our platform keeps you updated in real-time. Our carefully curated news selection helps you stay ahead, providing accurate and relevant stories tailored to diverse interests.
No comments yet.