The Chicago Sky‘s season has been one of struggle, marked by injuries, inconsistency, and an early end to playoff hopes. Yet on Sunday night, the team proved they are still capable of shaking things up, stunning the New York Liberty with a gritty 91-85 victory – and following it up with a playful message that quickly went viral.
The win was powered by the Sky‘s young stars. Kamilla Cardoso dominated inside with 22 points and a career-best 16 rebounds, while Angel Reese added 21 points and 10 boards of her own.
Together, they controlled the paint and helped Chicago snap a five-game skid. For a team that had dropped 13 of its previous 14 contests, the result was as much about pride as it was about performance.
Chicago’s defense, often a weak spot this season, stepped up in the second half. The Liberty knocked down 10 three-pointers before halftime, but the Sky held them to just three makes from deep after the break. Ariel Atkins played a major role, hounding Sabrina Ionescu into off-balance looks and preventing her from hitting a single shot from beyond the arc. Atkins also contributed 19 points, including nine in the decisive fourth quarter.
Sky take the battle online
As meaningful as the on-court upset was, the Sky made just as much noise online. After the game, the team’s social media account posted a celebratory graphic of Reese with the caption: “Told y’all Chicago has the better skyscrapers .”
The wordplay struck a chord. Reese and Cardoso have earned the nickname “Skycrapers” thanks to their size and dominance in the paint. Turning that into a dig at New York’s iconic skyline gave the win an extra edge – and fans quickly debated whether it was a harmless bit of fun or unnecessary boasting for a team with no postseason future.
Some reactions praised the attitude, with one fan writing, “Perfect energy. Even eliminated, they’re still fighting.” Others were less impressed. “You’re eliminated,” one user reminded bluntly, while another quipped, “Congrats on not finishing last.”
A glimpse at what could have been
Despite the backlash, the win highlighted how different this Sky team looks with a healthier lineup. Reese, back from a back injury, has brought energy to the frontcourt, while Cardoso continues to show why she was one of the most coveted rookies in the league. For head coach Tyler Marsh, the victory offered a glimpse of the team’s potential.
“New York is a team that makes you feel like you’ve got to get everything back in one possession because of the potency they possess,” Marsh said afterward. “We didn’t get overwhelmed.”
Chicago still sits near the bottom of the standings and will finish the year outside of playoff contention. But the Sky‘s win over a title contender showed they are far from lifeless. Instead, they sent a message that, with the right pieces in place, they can compete with the WNBA’s elite.
For one night, at least, the Sky weren’t defined by their record. They were defined by fight, pride, and just the right amount of petty.
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