Ariel

Atkins

Allen moved into the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game, making her first start since August 3. While she struggled with her shot, the veteran forward finished with a complete stat line. Sevgi Uzun, who started Sunday’s loss to the Aces, played 16 minutes off the bench and finished with four points (2-of-4 FGs), two assists and one steal. Whether either player starts Thursday’s season finale depends on the availability of Ariel Atkins, who has missed the last two games with a back injury.

With Angel Reese (back) still out, there is only one change to the lineup that started Sunday’s loss to Las Vegas. Allen moves into the starting five, with Sevgi Uzun being bumped to the bench. In addition to Reese, Chicago remains without Ariel Atkins, so Allen is starting alongside Banham on the perimeter.

Uzun will make her third start of the season on Sunday as the Sky look to avoid back-to-back losses. The second-year guard is averaging 2.9 points and 2.3 assists across 22 games this season, and will likely assume lead ball-handling duties in a Chicago frontcourt that’s flooded with injuries. She’ll replace Ariel Atkins (back) in the starting lineup, who is averaging 13.1 points, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game thus far.

Williams recorded her fourth double-double of the season on Friday night. She scored the ball efficiently coming off high-low passes from teammate Kamilla Cardoso in addition to two assists coming from Rebecca Allen finding Williams cutting off the ball. Williams rebounded the ball well especially when Cardoso wasn’t in great position to do so and had Fever players trying to box her out. Williams also facilitated at a high level on Friday night. She found Michaela Onyenwere for two different layups where the Fever were mismatched guarding the Sky wing. Williams also had two more assists in the fourth quarter to Ariel Atkins and rookie Maddy Westbeld for two jump shots that Williams helped created on handoffs and screens.

The six shot attempts were the fewest in a game for Atkins since August 13 against the Sun, which was the game in which she was injured. However, the veteran guard did record eight assists on Saturday, the most in a game for her this season. With the Sky long eliminated from playoff contention, Atkins’ playing time will be worth watching in the team’s remaining games. However, with Hailey Van Lith dealing with a nagging ankle issue, the Sky may not be able to play Atkins less to evaluate its first-round pick further.

Atkins had a stellar showing on Monday in front of Chicago’s home crowd. She totaled 19 first-half points on efficient 6-of-9 shooting from the field, while tallying three assists in that same timeframe. The veteran guard’s production cooled slightly after the break, but she still managed to find her rhythm in the final frame, ultimately finishing as the Sky’s leader in points and assists. Atkins logged her seventh 20-point game of the season on Monday and her first 30-point game. Another high-scoring performance on Thursday against Phoenix would greatly benefit fantasy managers.

Each of the Sky’s three players was upgraded to available ahead of Thursday’s contest. They were all active in the loss to Seattle on Tuesday, which marked Reese’s return from a back injury that had sidelined her for multiple weeks. Chicago was recently eliminated from playoff contention, but will still look to build positive momentum down the stretch of the season. Reese and Atkins will likely remain reliable options for fantasy managers.

After scoring eight points or less in four straight games, Atkins needed a night like Tuesday, even if the Sky lost. During that four-game dry spell, she shot 41.4 percent from the field, averaging 7.0 points. Since returning from the leg injury that sidelined her for nearly a month, Atkins has averaged 8.6 points while shooting 48.7 percent. Tuesday’s performance will boost those numbers, and having an effective facilitator in Angel Reese on the court should help matters moving forward.

The Sky’s most efficient and effective offense on Friday night was when it was run right through Cardoso. Sky guards in Sevgi Uzun and Hailey Van Lith either founder her posted up on mismatches or took advantage of her speed when she rolls on some pick-and-roll actions. Front court partner Elizabeth Williams found Cardoso on high-low passes for two of her four assists. Also, Cardoso was the Sky’s most effective playmaker. She registered five total assists, her season high. She created scores for four different teammates including Uzun, Williams Ariel Atkins and Rachel Banham. She set screens for Uzun and Banham while she found Williams and Atkins when they had advantageous driving lanes.

All but one of Banham’s made field goals came on assists from forwards or centers. Elizabeth Williams, Kamilla Cardoso and Michaela Onyenwere all found Banham for open shots via an extra pass or on a dribble handoff. In each of Banham’s last four games including Friday night, she’s not only hit double-digit scoring but she’s also hit three three-pointers. Also, in two straight games Banham has had exactly two assists and five rebounds. Her two assists were on a drive-and-kick to Sevgi Uzun and then to Ariel Atkins who had an open driving lane to the paint.