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  "path": "/chicago-sky/2026/04/25/sky-still-ironing-out-details-in-preseason-loss-to-mercury",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-25T23:30:33.323Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Coach <b>Tyler Marsh</b> wanted ball movement and player movement to be the emphasis in the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" target=\"_blank\" >Sky’s</a> first preseason game, and in the first quarter, it looked OK.</p><p>Their most consistent action <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/25/dawn-staley-talks-kamilla-cardoso-all-star-potential-giving-her-the-keys-to-the-car\" >was finding center<b> Kamilla Cardoso</b></a> off slips, but much of their scoring in the quarter came in isolation, particularly from <b>Rickea Jackson.</b></p><p>In the second quarter of Saturday's 108-104 loss to the Mercury, the movement improved, and the Sky found<b> Rachel Banham</b> for three open 3-pointers.</p><p>“At times we did get stagnant,” Banham said after the game. “We’re still figuring out how we’re going to move together and move the ball.”</p><p>One thing the game foreshadowed was that 3-point volume could be an issue for the Sky offense. It’s hard to create movement if defenses don’t have to respect the 3-point line. The Sky shot only 16 3-pointers to the Mercury’s 34.</p><p>They can always count on Banham for the three-ball, but the offseason was more oriented around adding players who can get to the rim, like Jackson and Skylar Diggins, rather than volume shooters.</p><p>Having stretch big <b>Azurá Stevens</b>, who is out with a knee injury, will help, but likely not enough to fully solve the issue.</p><p>On the defensive end, Marsh hasn’t yet laid out exactly the style they want to play, and the game didn’t make it clear, either.</p><p>They gave up more than 50 points in the first half — and 19 alone to Mercury wing <b>Kahleah Copper.</b></p><p>To be fair, defense didn’t seem to be anyone’s priority Saturday. </p><h3><b>Strong showing from Hailey Van Lith</b></h3><p>Both teams sat their starters in the second half, instead giving minutes to players fighting for final roster spots. Sky combo guard <b>Hailey Van Lith</b> got plenty of reps with this group. She dropped 20 points on 8-for-8 shooting, with the mid-range looking lethal.</p><p>“My first stint out there I just wanted to get my legs under me, run up and down and feel the physicality,” Van Lith said after the game. “Then I was looking for the mid-range the second time. Watching Skylar pick them apart in the mid-range in the first half, I knew it would probably be there for me, too.”</p><p>She spent the offseason rehabbing an ankle injury that hampered her rookie year.</p><p>“I’ve worked hard at things I need to get better at to play more in control and make better reads,” Van Lith said.</p><h3><b>Why Sioux Falls?</b></h3><h3></h3><p>Mercury coach <b>Nate Tibbetts</b> grew up in South Dakota and coached in the G League for the Miami Heat’s affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Their arena has looked to recruit more high-profile games, so it reached out to Tibbetts.</p><p>“It’s been really fun for my wife, Lindsay, and me,” Tibbetts said before the game. “We’ve bounced around so much chasing the game of basketball from team to team, city to city. To come home and have people put their arm around you and say they’re proud of you, it’s pretty cool.”</p><p></p><p></p><bsp-list-loadmore class=\"PageListH\" data-module data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-010001\" name=\"list-010001\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> Latest on the Sky and WNBA </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items\" data-with-borders data-list-loadmore-items> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"College coach Dawn Staley sees All-Star potential for Sky 's Kamilla Cardoso\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/25/dawn-staley-talks-kamilla-cardoso-all-star-potential-giving-her-the-keys-to-the-car\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1b7edf5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4419x2958+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2F47%2F4f7a74c04c5091bacd0d4fadf12b%2Fcardoso-yay.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/823e38e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4419x2958+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2F47%2F4f7a74c04c5091bacd0d4fadf12b%2Fcardoso-yay.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Las Vegas Aces v Chicago Sky\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/823e38e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4419x2958+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2F47%2F4f7a74c04c5091bacd0d4fadf12b%2Fcardoso-yay.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/25/dawn-staley-talks-kamilla-cardoso-all-star-potential-giving-her-the-keys-to-the-car\" >College coach Dawn Staley sees All-Star potential for Sky 's Kamilla Cardoso</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">At South Carolina, Staley learned that Cardoso thrives as a focal point. This season might provide her with that kind of opportunity. </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1777144950000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"612\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Angel Reese learns to thrive while ignoring negativity\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/04/23/angel-reese-michelle-obama-podcast-dream-sky-wnba\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/db275b0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5976x4000+24+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff4%2Ff3%2Fa1f82730465ca716a46e2baa92cc%2Fap26107765000120.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7405963/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5976x4000+24+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff4%2Ff3%2Fa1f82730465ca716a46e2baa92cc%2Fap26107765000120.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Angel Reese is introduced by the Atlanta Dream on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Atlanta. The Dream acquired Reese from the Sky for first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7405963/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5976x4000+24+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff4%2Ff3%2Fa1f82730465ca716a46e2baa92cc%2Fap26107765000120.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba\" >WNBA</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/04/23/angel-reese-michelle-obama-podcast-dream-sky-wnba\" >Angel Reese learns to thrive while ignoring negativity</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The Dream forward says that the negativity she experienced in her first two years in the WNBA wasn’t normal or acceptable. Still, she understands it’s her “new reality.”</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776986350000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/usa-today\" >USA TODAY </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"409\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Will this time be different? Sky push for fresh start\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/22/will-this-time-be-different-sky-push-for-a-fresh-start\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/af1383d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7331x4907+29+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fa5%2F05%2Fc1989c954e9a9316f96449f3c789%2Fcardoso-reese.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0158fc7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7331x4907+29+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fa5%2F05%2Fc1989c954e9a9316f96449f3c789%2Fcardoso-reese.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Minnesota Lynx v Chicago Sky\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0158fc7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7331x4907+29+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fa5%2F05%2Fc1989c954e9a9316f96449f3c789%2Fcardoso-reese.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/22/will-this-time-be-different-sky-push-for-a-fresh-start\" >Will this time be different? Sky push for fresh start</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">General manager Jeff Pagliocca sees real potential in this moment. Should fans buy in?</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776906552000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"607\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
  "title": "Sky still ironing out details in preseason loss to Mercury",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-25T23:56:20.899Z"
}