The Chicago Sky was presented with a perfect opportunity to avenge the massive season opener loss as the Indiana Fever entered the United Centre on Saturday. Especially after things went south between the so-called rivals in the previous face-off. And with Fever superstar Caitlin Clark and second handler, Sophie Cunningham, sidelined owing to injuries, and without their head coach, Stephanie White, the second game was a ripe opportunity for Angel Reese to showcase her defensive prowess and grab that win. But alas!

Regardless to say, Fever successfully snatched yet another 79-52 win from Tyler Marsh’s roster in the second face-off. That too, without Caitlin Clark this time. And while the Sky entirely depended on Reese and Kamilla Cardoso to bring some respite to the roster, it looked like even the two athletes could not save the fate of the losing team. And as the entire basketball fraternity was glued to the intense Fever-Sky match, women’s sport veterans had a couple of things to say about Angel Reese.

Basketball veteran Candace Parker joined Jemele Hill on her latest YouTube video and suggested a couple of things that Angel Reese can improve upon. She used Caitlin Clark’s rookie season as an example to explain the areas where the Sky player lacks. “I think Caitlin Clark has done that even in her first year in terms of you know being able to be that floor general,” Parker said. Clark took responsibility as a floor general as a freshman and set the pace for her team.

Caitlin would often create flawless offences as the team built around her. Despite her long range shooting being beneficial for the roster, it was Clark’s ability to use the space to create opportunities that helped her Fever teammates. This move provided more chances to Mitchell and Hull, as DeWanna Bonner and Sophie Cunningham defended their opponents. Moreover, it gave Boston a great chance at attempting pick and rolls with Clark.

“Her and Aliyah Boston’s connection has really improved and I think, the thing about Caitlyn, yes she can shoot from the logo, but she makes her team better.” Talking about the Forward-Guard connection that reflects in their efficient playmaking skills in Clark’s sophomore season, Parker “emphasized that besides scoring, Clark makes her team better. Clark stretches defense in the paint, thereby providing Boston with ample space to move and tackle.

No wonder Boston suffered the most when Clark was sidelined on the bench. In fact, she had appreciated Clark’s gameplay ahead of the regular season. In a post-training camp session, Boston even confessed on how the two number one overall players overcame their initial awkwardness. Eventually, the two established a strong bond that translates beautifully on the hardwood. Today, Clark and Boston are one of the strongest duos in the league.

While the Chi-Barbie emerged as a reigning rebounding queen this season, Parker further suggests, “So, I think just in terms for her, it’s going to be moving- what are you doing without the ball in your hands? And I think it’s going to be taking care of the ball for her, those two things, yeah.”

Angel Reese’s 12 rebounds offered some bright spots, but the sky-high 21 turnovers revealed why coach Tyler Marsh is stressing ball security. While Reese didn’t lead in turnovers, Chicago’s team play, especially off-ball movement, will need to tighten up if they want to avoid another 27-point collapse. The 2008 number one overall draft pick even suggested Angel Reese to become a better ball handler.

Moreover, the women’s basketball legend dismissed the ongoing rivalry between Clark and Reese. She called it a comparison between apples and oranges, indicating that the athletes play at different positions and have a very different playmaking style altogether. With no apparent reason to compare the two powerhouses of women’s basketball, how can you describe all that happened during the season opener. While Clark referred to the scuffle as a “good play at basketball“, can Chicago Sky overcome the incident and give Fever a taste of their own medicine?

Chicago Sky fails to redeem their season opener loss against Indiana Fever

“I think that they’re still extremely formidable. They came away with the victory the other day,” Tyler Marsh was in praise of Indiana Fever’s resilient roster ahead of their arrival in Chicago. He praised the team’s efforts as they ended their losing streak and clinched first victory without Clark against the Washington Mystics.

Marsh even felt that the team can do wonders even if HC Stephanie White fails to attend the game. “Aliyah Boston is still a load inside, and then Kelsey Mitchell is still being Kelsey Mitchell. So we got our work cut out for us, but every game, no matter who is playing, is a challenge.” Referring to Boston and Mitchell from the Fever’s roster, HC Marsh felt that the team is a threat for Chicago Sky. And he wasn’t wrong in saying so!

While Angel Reese finished with 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting and 12 rebounds for Chicago Sky, it was veterans Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard from the Fever’s roster that stole the limelight. Kelsey Mitchell made a successful layup and attempted a jump shot that propelled the Fever in a 17-7 lead in the first quarter. Moreover, McDonald’s contribution ensured the team stay ahead of their opponents.

Mitchell led the Fever with a total of 17 points as Howard added 13 points to clinch a massive 79-52 win. Having said that, new joiner Aari McDonald made an energetic entry on the hardwood with three 3-pointers and finished the match with 12 points and 3 clean steals. On the other hand, Boston successfully dished 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Fever.

Despite Sky’s efficient 18 points of 56 (32.1%) from the field, as the team shot 20% (3 of 15) from 3-point range, their looming turnover issue cost them against the Fever. The Sky reportedly finished with 19 turnovers. And though Marsh has addressed on working upon the persistent challenge of ball turnovers, can Chicago Sky overcome this issue before they face Indiana Fever in game three? Or will the locker room sink further at the hands of Fever? Only time will tell.