Chicago

Sky

Banham recorded a season and career high in assists in her final game of the 2025 season. Banham, a natural shooting guard, saw extended minutes for the Sky at the one especially following Courtney Vandersloot’s season-ending ACL injury. She accounted for 10 of the Sky’s 25 assists on Thursday night and had her most assists in the second quarter when she registered five. Banham found five different teammates including her most consistent target Kamilla Cardoso, who scored 10 of her points off Banham assists, in addition to shots for Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Michaela Onyenwere and Maddy Westbeld.

Cardoso was dominant against the Liberty, exploiting some of New York’s miscommunications on defense. There was one possession where Cardoso scored and Jonquel Jones audibly shouted help once she got beat by the deceptively speedy Cardoso. The sophomore center had her highest scoring game on Thursday night since she posted 22 points also against the Liberty on August 21. Cardoso finished her final game of her second WNBA season with a season-high of four blocks.

Westbeld had a career night to cap off her rookie season. She scored not only the most points she has in the WNBA but she made the most three-pointers as a pro with five and registered the most assists she has had in a game all season with three. Westbeld was taking her open shots confidently, hitting over the outstretched and often late closeouts of multiple Liberty defenders. She found Kia Nurse for a transition three-pointer and Michaela Onyenwere and Kamilla Cardoso on high-low dump down passes. Westbeld tied her season high in rebounds with seven, a number she last reached on July 16 against the Dream.

Reese has been ruled out after she didn’t participate in shoot around during the portion open to media members. While head coach Tyler Marsh explained that she was a game time decision earlier in the day, Marsh spoke to reporters pregame and announced that she was out for the Sky’s final game of the 2025 season. Reese finishes her sophomore season on uncertain terms with the Sky after she questioned the direction of the franchise in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and as a result the franchise suspended her a half a game on September 7 against the Aces that she ended up sitting out of completely anyway. She also didn’t play two days later against the Aces. Reese finishes her second year in the WNBA averaging a 14.7 /12.6 double-double and is the third player in WNBA history to average a double-double in each of first two seasons.

In what has largely been an underwhelming season for Onyenwere, her production has improved down the stretch. She’s reached double figures in three straight and four of her last five games, Onyenwere’s most productive run this season. Over the last three, she’s shot 13-of-23 from the field and averaged 14.3 points. Onyenwere is one of seven Sky players who will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, so a solid finish to the 2025 campaign may pay dividends in free agency.

While the Sky lost both of their games in Las Vegas, Cardoso’s trip was productive. The second-year center totaled 23 points and 28 rebounds in the two defeats, pushing her double-double tally to 13. By comparison, Cardoso recorded seven double-doubles as a rookie. With the recent suspension of fellow 2024 first-round pick Angel Reese, who did not play on Tuesday due to a back injury, it’s anyone’s guess what the Sky roster will look like in 2026 as the franchise rebuilds. Both young post players are under contract for next season, but that does not guarantee anything.

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.

Reese remains out after not playing against the Aces on Sunday. The second-year forward, suspended for the first half of that defeat, did not play due to a back issue that has lingered since the All-Star break. Elizabeth Williams will remain in the starting lineup alongside Kamilla Cardoso.

Cardoso landed her 12th double-double of the season on Sunday in 31 minutes of game action. While she shot the ball inefficiently, she made enough to finish as one of five Chicago starters to score in double figures. Her greatest impact, however, came on the glass, where she collected seven offensive boards and grabbed eight on the defensive end en route to tying a season-high in total rebounds. The sophomore center will look to add to her double-double count on Tuesday when the Sky face the Aces again.