Kahleah Copper gets little help in Chicago Sky’s Game 1 loss

Kahleah Copper’s performance fell short on Wednesday night. The three-time All-Star only managed to score 15 points for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA playoff opener against the Las Vegas Aces, resulting in a resounding 87-59 loss. Her game was marred by three turnovers, a single 3-pointer, and no scoring in the fourth quarter.

Copper took responsibility for her lackluster performance, but she was hindered further by poor showings from every other Sky starter.

[ [Don’t miss] Kahleah Copper is here to stay — for now. It’s up to the Chicago Sky front office to make the most of it. ]

Alanna Smith fouled three times in the first quarter, Marina Mabrey vanished, and the rest of the Sky’s roster, except Copper, failed to score for over eight minutes between the first and second quarters, allowing the Aces to take a commanding 19-point lead with a 21-8 run.

Post that phase, the game was practically over.

Copper is undoubtedly a star, but the loss highlighted her limitations and underscored the necessity for the Sky’s offseason adjustments.

Excluding Copper, the rest of the starting lineup scored only 28 points, which was just one more than the Aces’ first-quarter tally. The Sky had meager free-throw attempts, reflecting their inability to attack the rim, and the Aces’ triumphed without relying on their best player as three players outscored A’ja Wilson’s routine 14-point performance.

Lacking other offensive threats, the Aces zeroed in on Copper, the only Sky player with double-digit points.

“We got our ass beat, I’m not going to lie to you,” said veteran guard Courtney Williams, who finished second behind Copper with nine points.

Mabrey’s timid shooting heavily restrained the Sky’s scoring. She managed only seven points, shooting 3-for-10, including 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. Her minimal involvement, considering the draft picks traded for her acquisition, elevated the pressure on Mabrey to perform as the Sky’s No. 2 player.

Irrespective of her shooting performance, Mabrey’s role as a perimeter shooter holds significant importance to the Sky’s offense. Their strategy revolves around slashing to the hoop, which is impeded without stretching the court at the 3-point line — this responsibility is largely Mabrey’s.

The poor shooting further exposed weaknesses in the Sky’s lineup construction, including the absence of a dedicated point guard and a lack of size in the paint. However, addressing these concerns is contingent on resolving the Sky’s coaching position.

[ [Don’t miss] Are the Las Vegas Aces beatable? 4 things to know about the Chicago Sky’s 1st-round matchup in the WNBA playoffs. ]

Wednesday marked the postseason debut for interim coach Emre Vatansever and revealed gaps in the Sky’s gameplay strategy. To achieve success, the Sky must focus on controlling match margins, demanding precise in-game decision-making and a disciplined coaching strategy.

It is clear that the Sky require the guidance of a seasoned coach in the future. Additionally, as an eighth-seeded team, competing against the dominant Aces was always going to be challenging. The series serves as a crucial learning opportunity, dictating the necessary adjustments for the Sky to assemble a formidable team in the future.