Chicago Sky stars allege online harassment throughout regular season after elimination from playoff race: "Never experienced this level of hate "

Without five key players, the Chicago Sky stood little chance against the Connecticut Sun in the team’s final regular season game on Thursday. For the second straight game, the Sky took the court minus Elizabeth Williams, Kamilla Cardoso, Diamond DeShields, Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese. Chicago’s campaign ended in an 87-54 loss to the star-studded Sun.

Dana Evans and Isabelle Harrison gallantly tried to carry the Sky. The former had 14 points, two assists and one steal while the latter had 13 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

After the game, the two talked about how even Chicago Sky fans turned against the players during the campaign. Evans had this to say (via @kenswift):

“It was tough. We’re professionals, we know that we can play this game but when you got people that’s steadily bashing you that’s supposed to be our supporters, I feel like that was a little slap in the face. That was hard to deal with. It was disgusting."

Harrison added:

“I’ve never experienced this level of hate and harassment. It’s hard. This shit hasn’t ever been like that.”

Isabelle Harrison continued that the vitriol against them was “hurtful” and made it hard for the Chicago Sky players to focus on basketball. The two agreed, though, that what they went through made them stronger mentally than ever before.

Amid Evans and Harrison opened up about the vitriol from Sky fans, the online fan-wars between Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky supporters, particularly Caitlin Clark fans and Angel Reese fans, have been a topic of discussion.

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Connecticut's WNBA-best defense shut down Chicago's offense

The Sun were a bad matchup for the Sky even if Chicago had a complete roster. Connecticut, which tops the WNBA in defensive rating, had little trouble shutting down its opponents' injury-hampered roster.

The Sky is second-worst in the league in shooting efficiency, averaging 42.2% per game. On Thursday, they could muster only 33.9%, including 28.3% from behind the arc.

The Sun largely played one-on-one defense, trusting their ability to limit opponents without help. Chicago hardly got open looks and ended with only six offensive rebounds. The game felt over when Connecticut took a 69-41 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

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Chicago Sky fans could be looking at a vastly different roster next season

Chicago Sky fans might be looking at a vastly different lineup in 2025. Key players such as Isabelle Harrison, Brianna Turner and Elizabeth Williams are unrestricted free agents. Chennedy Carter, Dana Evans and Michaela Onyenwere are restricted, though, so Chicago could match offers for them.

With the way the season ended, the Sky could retool the lineup. They finished 2023 with an 18-22 record and despite adding Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, they ended 2024 on a 13-27 mark.

Reese is seemingly the emerging star but is far from being the franchise cornerstone. Cardoso is the more efficient scorer and rim protector but has several parts of her game to improve. Chicago can go different ways in the offseason. The team could replace coach Teresa Weatherspoon, revamp the lineup, or do both.