The Sky’s losing streak reached eight games Sunday against the Mercury. With a little more than a third of the season left, the playoffs keep slipping further away. And the strain is starting to show.
So where are the players’ heads at?
‘‘There just has to be a will to win, and we don’t have that right now on a consistent basis,’’ forward Michaela Onyenwere said. ‘‘We can’t just give up on the season. We haven’t. But we’ve gotta figure it out — urgently.’’
Onyenwere was one of the few bright spots in the Sky’s 83-67 loss to the Mercury. She scored 13 points and made three of her four three-pointers, her first game all season with more than two. Rookie Maddy Westbeld also had a solid outing, scoring nine points on 3-for-6 shooting from the field.
Overall, however, the game was a mess. The Sky (7-21) gave up 30 points in transition. Their outside shooting trio — Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse and Rachel Banham — went a combined 3-for-22 from the field and 0-for-10 from three. The Mercury’s lead ballooned to 26 by the fourth quarter, and the second half was largely uncompetitive.
The will to win has been a recurring theme for head coach Tyler Marsh. The loss was the Sky’s 15th by more than 15 points.
‘‘Everyone has the will to win; it’s more of the will to compete that you have to have,’’ Marsh said. ‘‘No one plays the game wanting to lose, but not everyone understands what it takes to win.’’
Part of what it takes is having a healthy roster, which the Sky don’t have right now.
Their top three players — Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins and Angel Reese — are out. The next five have struggled to keep up even with bottom-tier teams, much less a playoff-bound group such as the Mercury, who improved to 17-11.
Vandersloot, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in early June, was at the game, watching from a suite above the court. Marsh said they talk often, her voice still part of his daily planning.
‘‘We’re trying to figure out a rhythm and a plan through these injuries,’’ he said. ‘‘But hopefully we’ll get Ariel back soon and Angel, as well.’’
Atkins has missed all six games since the All-Star break with a leg injury, and the Sky have yet to win without her. Reese has missed four games since the break with a back injury.
At some point, Reese and Atkins will be back. By then, however, the playoff window likely will be gone. And with the trade deadline looming Thursday, the question becomes: What now?
Asked before the game whether the Sky will be buyers or sellers at the deadline, Marsh said his focus remains on the current group. But the only case for buying would be a miracle run, and nothing about the last few weeks suggests one is coming.
Realistically, the Sky should be looking to sell. They have a few veterans who could help contenders: Elizabeth Williams for frontcourt depth and Banham and Allen for outside shooting. But they’re all on expiring deals, and contenders might not pay much for a rental.
Center Kamilla Cardoso is still on her rookie contract and likely would command some value, but moving her would signal a longer-term pivot.
As for finding that will to compete, Tuesday offers a chance. The Sky face the Mystics, another young team they’ve matched up well against this season. But the game comes on only one day of rest, as do the majority of their final 16 games.
The Sky are looking for answers, but they might need more than 24 hours to find them.
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