Chicago Sky Had Seven Words for WNBA Star Before Mystics Game

The Chicago Sky, under first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, hold a 5-12 record (.294 winning percentage), the second-worst in the WNBA. Despite these struggles, individual performances have provided highlights, including Angel Reese's streak of five consecutive games with 15+ rebounds and veteran guard Ariel Atkins leading the team in scoring at 14.4 points per game.

On Monday, the team highlighted Atkins via its "Stat of the Week," revealing she is one of only three WNBA players this season to record at least 200 points, 50 rebounds, 50 assists, 30 steals, and 10 blocks. The Sky celebrated this achievement with a social media post calling her "A leader on and off the court."

Atkins became a cornerstone of Chicago's offseason rebuild when acquired in February in exchange for the Sky's 2025 No. 3 draft pick and future selections. A 2018 first-round pick by the Washington Mystics, she was a starter on their 2019 championship team, a two-time All-Star, and five-time All-Defensive team member. This season, she averages 14.4 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 30.1 minutes per game over 17 contests.

The Sky now prepare to face the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, followed by a three-game homestand against the Dallas Wings and the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx. Sustaining Atkins' high-level play and team cohesion could help Chicago salvage the season's first half and build momentum toward a playoff push.