The Chicago Sky started their season with a difficult 93–58 loss to an inspired Indiana Fever led by Caitlin Clark, who recorded a triple-double. Reflecting on the game, Sky coach Tyler Marsh admitted that the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year was tough to defend.
“I think we did a decent job with her in transition. In the pick-and-roll, she hurt us a little bit. It’s one of those things where she can get it going scoring-wise and facilitating,” Marsh told reporters.
“She’s tough to stop, and it’s never a one-person effort when it comes to a player like her. It’s a group effort, it’s a team effort, and you don’t just guard her with one person, you guard her with all five,” Marsh explained.
Clark dropped 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to become the fastest player in league history to record three career triple-doubles. Clark and the Fever moved to 4–1 against Angel Reese and the Sky since the two entered the league in 2024.
Following the opener, the Chicago Sky are now set to play the New York Liberty on Thursday, May 22 at Wintrust Arena. The Liberty, the reigning champions, opened their season with a 92–78 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
WNBA Investigates alleged racist abuse toward Angel Reese
The game also came with controversy, as the WNBA announced an investigation into alleged racist abuse directed at Angel Reese. Clark addressed the situation, condemning the behavior despite saying she didn’t personally hear anything.
She also commented on their tense moment during the match, when she committed a take foul that was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1. “Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark said. “It was just good basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion.
“It’s a take foul to put them at the free-throw line. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am,” she added.