Chicago Sky 2024 WNBA Playoffs Scenario ahead of 2024 season restart

The Chicago Sky will be looking to kickstart their playoff push when the WNBA season restarts on Thursday. After a month-long summer break, the Sky host the Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Thursday.

With just 16 games remaining in their regular season, Chicago are hanging on to the final playoff position. All 12 teams remain in contention for eight postseason spots and the Sky will need to be at their best if they hope to make the final cut.

Coach Teresa Weatherspoon will have had plenty of time to make adjustments and seek out a winning formula over the last few weeks. With some talented stars on the roster including Chennedy Carter, Marina Maybrey and Angel Reese, there are plenty of reasons for Chicago fans to be optimistic going into the final stretch.

Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese have both been outstanding over the first half of the season. Carter leads the team in points per game with 17.2. Reese is averaging a double-double with an average of 13.5 points and 11.9 rebounds over her first 24 games.

Chicago Sky 2024 WNBA playoffs scenario: Updated standings

Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon reacts during a WNBA game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

The Chicago Sky are currently eighth in the standings and hold on to the final playoff spot. The team has a 10-14 record and has a 3.5-game lead over the Atlanta Dream and a 4.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Sparks. There are seven teams above them, with Caitlin Clark's the Indiana Fever holding a slightly better win record in seventh-place.

Chicago had a rollercaster start to the year and while individual players have shown moments of brilliance, they have failed to find any consistency as a team. Over 24 games so far, Weatherspoon's side have failed to string together a three-game win streak.

The Sky are 2-3 in their last five games and won their final game 93-85 before the break against the Las Vegas Aces.

Chicago Sky 2024 WNBA playoffs scenario: Remaining schedule

Chennedy Carter drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell at Wintrust Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

A home game against the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday will be followed by three games on the road versus the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury and Connecticut Sun.

Perhaps the most important games of the season will come against the Sparks on Sept. 6 and the Atlanta Dream on Sept. 17. Those are the two teams on the heels of Chicago. If the Sky can hold off the Sparks and the Dream over the final weeks of the season, they should have a good chance of finishing in the top eight.