3 reasons why Angel Reese and Chicago Sky may miss out on 2024 WNBA playoff berth

The Chicago Sky has been rebuilding this season, yet they found themselves in a playoff position as the WNBA nears its season restart. Led by rookie Angel Reese, the Sky has been teetering to the final playoff spot with the number eight seed.

Despite roster changes during the Olympic break, the team is projected to remain competitive while preserving its future with its young core. With Reese and ascending guard Chennedy Carter, the Sky has a lot of possibilities for the rest of the season.

Currently, the Sky holds a 10-14 record, three games better than the ninth-seed Atlanta Dream. The Dream have lost their last eight games, but they remain a dangerous team in the hunt for the final playoff berth.

Here are three reasons why the Chicago Sky may miss out on a playoff berth.

3 reasons why Angel Reese and Chicago Sky may miss out on 2024 WNBA playoff berth

1) Marina Mabrey trade cuts down the team’s star power

Chicago Sky’s second-leading scorer in the first half of the season, Marina Mabrey, was traded to the Connecticut Sun during the Olympic break. Moriah Jefferson and Rachel Banham moved from the other side. Sky also traded a 2025 second-round pick and received a 2025 round-pick as well as swap rights for Sun's 2026 first-round pick as part of the deal.

The move signaled the team’s desire to build for the future, which could hurt their present and chances for a playoff spot. The Sky also waived Kysre Gondrezick in a series of midseason moves that fortified their future as a team.

Now with just Reese and Carter heading the team, Chicago’s star power may not be enough to retain their playoff spot and compete against the WNBA’s top teams.

2) Chicago Sky might be too young to hold on

Sky will have Reese, who is a rookie, and Carter, who is playing her third season in the WNBA, as their main guns for the rest of the season. While it could benefit them, their youth and inexperience down the final stretch of the regular season could put them in danger of losing the eighth seed.

Like any young team, the Sky had consistency problems during the season's first half. They have yet to win three straight games, and have been curiously struggling at home with a 4-8 record.

Inconsistency coupled with inexperience could be detrimental to the team as they face the Los Angeles Sparks and the Atlanta Dream over the final weeks of the season to secure their spot in the postseason.

3) Rhyne Howard could return for the Dream

Rhyne Howard’s injury has hampered Atlanta’s playoff chances. However, if she returned for the season's final weeks, it would put a lot of pressure on the Sky to perform at their best.

Before Howard’s injury, the Dream was a .500 team with wins against the Connecticut Sun, and the Las Vegas Aces. Howard averaged 15.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in the 14 games she has played.

Howard is a big question for the season, and her injury timetable could determine the Sky’s chances for a playoff seed in the final weeks of the season.