The Sky needed a spark.
They got it Friday night with the return of guard Chennedy Carter after a four-game absence that ex-posed the team’s offensive issues and added to a seven-game skid that has threatened their playoff hopes.
Carter finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 92-78 win over the Sparks at Wintrust Arena that pulled the Sky even with the Dream at 12-22 in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot. Rookie forward Angel Reese notched her 26th double-double, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds.
“I haven’t been at this place, in this moment in my career ever,” said Carter, who had been sidelined by an illness. “To feel [support] from not only our fans but my teammates and my coaches makes me feel loved and valued. It’s an amazing feeling.”
When the Sky opened training camp in late April, there was no indication of the impact Carter would make. She made the final roster after initially being signed to a training-camp contract and started her fourth WNBA season on the bench. Then, over three months, she worked herself into becoming the Sky’s leading scorer and the engine of the offense.
The Sky went 0-4 during her absence. Now that she’s back, she’s ready to help them refocus.
“I let them know: ‘Guys, I know I was out for a minute longer than expected, but I’m back now and I’m ready to work with you guys,’ ” Carter said Thursday. “ ‘I missed you guys. I want to make a run. I’m here to do that. Let’s [expletive] do that. Let’s turn the page.’ ”
Friday was the first step. But the challenge is steep. The seven-game skid closed the gap between the Sky and the Dream and allowed the Mystics to get in striking distance.
The Sky are last in the league in points per game since play resumed after the Olympics. They also averaged a league-worst 19.3 turnovers per game while Carter was out.
She was specifically looking forward to getting reacclimated with her rookie bigs, Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon was equally excited to welcome Carter back.
“Her just being who she is, so dangerous with the ball, there’s a lot of attention on her,” Weatherspoon said Thursday. “She uses screens, any pick-and-roll with any of the post players. She’s very good at creating space and actually taking two with her to be able to get that pass to a big. So, I know she’s excited and they’re excited.”
This season marked Carter’s return to the WNBA after the Sparks waived her before last season. In her first 12 games coming off the bench, she averaged 12.9 points. In the 16 games since, she’s averaging 20.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
She’ll be a restricted free agent in January. Weatherspoon has made it clear that as long as she’s coaching the Sky, she wants Carter in uniform for her.
Ultimately, that decision will come down to whom the Sky land in free agency. But Carter’s stock is undeniably up.
“This season shows my value,” she said Friday.