Top 3 takeaways from Sky's preseason game vs. Lynx

The Chicago Sky played in front of their fans for the first time in 2025 in their preseason win over the Minnesota Lynx, 74-69. What stood out in their second preseason game?

HVL Getting Comfortable

Hailey Van Lith didn't see the floor in the first preseason game until the second half. Against Minnesota, she saw the floor as the first sub off the bench in the first quarter. Getting her out there against what will most likely be the Lynx's starting lineup was a great test for her.

Hailey Van Lith vs. Minnesota Lynx (May 6, 2025)

"We really want to see how she continues to grow on the ball and being that vocal leader for whatever unit she's in with," head coach Tyler Marsh said before the game. "I think that Courtney has been such a great pillar for Hailey in terms of how she utilizes her change of speed and not getting rushed or when she feels pressure. We're looking to see more of that and everyday just seeing what that growth is."

She was up for the challenge with a lot of vocality on the floor not just in communication but also in uplifting her teammates. After a tough foul by Michaela Onyenwere, Van Lith said, "Come on white. Keep it up white;" that shows confidence, comfortability and maturity for a rookie to stand up and be that voice for her teammates on the floor.

"She's like a sponge," Vandersloot said after the game. "She listens to everything I say, but I think the best part of this is that we can compete in practice and make each other better. She plays me hard, and she's going to make me better just as much as I'm going to try and make her better."

Van Lith finished with just three points but contributed across the stat shee with five assists, one rebound and one block.

Defense Is Clicking

Before the game, Marsh said that he uses the Minnesota Lynx as a 'teaching tool' when it comes to finding and establishing their defensive identity.

"I use Minnesota as a teaching tool for us since I've gotten the job," Marsh said in pregame. "Defensively, they don't get away from who they are. They apply pressure when they're able to. They're disciplined. They're well-coached. Those are all aspects of a mature team, and that's where we want to get to throughout this season."

Going up against the Lynx, you could absolutely see some similarities. The Sky played physical, had their hands all over the place, created turnovers off of multiple deflections and were very communicative in calling out screens, switches and rotations.

Statistically, the Sky crashed the defensive glass with 28 rebounds along with 11 steals and six blocks. They created 18 Minnesota turnovers and turned them into 16 points.

"We're able to really cover for each other," Atkins said after the game. "There were moments where it probably didn't look great, but we figured it out. I think that's something that's really exciting for me as someone who likes to pressure the ball. I know that I have my team behind me if I am guarding the point guard and vice versa for our post players, knowing if they have to help that we have their back, too."

Lineup Versatility

Marsh also showed a lot of different lineups throughout the game. It was the same starting lineup of Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, Kia Nurse, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. However, there were times he went real small with Van Lith, Rachel Banham, Nurse, Onyenwere and Elizabeth Williams. He also showed a veteran-heavy lineup with Vandersloot, Atkins, Rebecca Allen, Onyenwere and Williams.

You also saw Reese comfortable in bringing the ball up and taking it the rack. Onyenwere showed her utility across the board by playing in both the wing and forward positions. Williams showed that she can knock down those midrange jumpers with ease if left open. Cardoso was comfortable inside and relied on her size to get some big layups and rebounds.

This was the first time the versatility of this team was truly showcased, and each lineup played incredibly tough against a Lynx team who made it all the way to the WNBA Finals in 2024. If the Sky can stay healthy, this is a Sky team that can be very deadly and tricky for other WNBA teams to prepare and scout properly. There's a lot of different looks Marsh can throw at them which gives Chicago a huge advantage.