It's been a brutal start for the Chicago Sky duo of Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen, whose Lunar Owls are mired in an 0-3 slump and staring at the bottom of the Unrivaled standings. But here's where it gets controversial: is this the beginning of a disastrous season, or can they turn it around? Let's dive in.
The Owls' struggles are hard to ignore. With a league-worst point differential of -64, they're trailing even their newer counterparts by a staggering 14 points. A crushing 94-60 defeat to the Phantom only added insult to injury. And this is the part most people miss: despite Marina Mabrey and Aaliyah Edwards' heroic efforts, scoring all but eight of the team's points, the Owls still fell short in their 84-72 loss to the Laces.
Now, the Owls face a daunting challenge as they prepare to take on the Mist and the Vinyl, both of whom secured victories in the second week of Unrivaled play. But let's not forget the bigger question: can Banham and Allen step up their game to support their struggling teammates?
Banham, known for her fearless, gunslinger style of play, showed glimpses of her potential in the loss to the Laces, sinking a near-half-court shot within 30 seconds of entering the game. However, her overall performance in the last two games – four points, three rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest – suggests she'll need to do more to lighten the load on Edwards and Allen. Here's a thought-provoking question: Is Banham's podcast with WNBA veteran Aari McDonald a distraction, or can it actually help her refocus and elevate her game?
Allen, on the other hand, has been inconsistent, making only two of her nine shot attempts this week, including one of five in the loss to the Laces. While she had a solid performance on January 12, with six rebounds and three assists, her defense has been a bright spot, with two blocked shots and a crucial interception. But is it enough? A controversial take: Without Napheesa Collier, the Owls seem to be missing a key piece, and Allen's inability to consistently contribute on offense might be a bigger issue than most realize.
As the Lunar Owls search for their first win, the pressure is on Banham and Allen to find their rhythm and help their team climb out of the basement. Will they rise to the occasion, or will this season be a write-off? We want to hear from you – do you think the Sky duo can turn things around, or is this a lost cause? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to follow the Chicago Sky on SI for the latest updates, exclusive interviews, and in-depth analysis at https://www.si.com/wnba/sky.
