Julia Poe: Sky Remain in Postseason Hunt, But Is Making the Playoffs Even in Their Best Interest?

Chicago Sky Win Sixth Straight Game

With their 88-79 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night, the Chicago Sky extended their winning streak to six games, keeping them in contention for a berth in the WNBA playoffs. After their dismal 1-9 start to the season, the Sky are now 10-16, which is good for ninth in the league standings.

The Sky's recent surge has been sparked by their stingy defense. Over their past six wins, they have held their opponents under 80 points five times. In Tuesday’s game, they forced the Lynx into 19 turnovers, an average of seven more than Minnesota had been committing in its previous five games.

Offensively, the Sky have been led by their veterans. Forward Candace Parker is averaging 16.8 points and 10 rebounds per game over her last six outings, while guard Allie Quigley is averaging 16.5 points. Second-year guard Dana Evans has also stepped up, averaging 14.3 points and 4.6 assists in her last five games.

The Sky’s recent success has kept them within striking distance of a playoff berth. They are currently just two games behind the eighth-place Atlanta Dream for the final spot in the postseason.

Is Making the Playoffs Even in the Sky’s Best Interest?

While the Sky have shown that they are capable of competing with the league's top teams, it remains to be seen whether making the playoffs is even in their best interest. They are still a young team with several key players, including Quigley and Evans, set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.

If the Sky were to make the playoffs, they would likely face a tough matchup against one of the league's top teams in the first round. And given their current roster construction, it is unlikely that they would advance past the first round.

On the other hand, if the Sky were to miss the playoffs, they would have a chance to improve their draft position and add a top college prospect to their roster. They could also pursue free agents without having to worry about sacrificing their draft pick in order to create cap space.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to make the playoffs is a difficult one for the Sky. There are both pros and cons to both options. The Sky will have to weigh all of their options before making a decision.