Throngs of disappointed Chicago Sky fans spilled out of Wintrust Arena on Thursday night after seeing their team eliminated from the WNBA Playoffs by the Connecticut Sun, ending the Sky’s dream of a second straight trip to the finals.
But despite the loss, many fans expressed optimism at the team’s future, saying the deep playoff run proved how talented the team is.
The final score was 72-63 in favor of the Connecticut Sun, who made a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter to oust the defending champion Sky from contention.
“We’re so sad, we thought we had it,” said Saida Vargas, 22. “I guess there’s always next year.”
“They made it to the semifinals; the game was extremely close,” Vargas said. “They’re doing extremely good, I’m excited for next year.”
Kitzia Picón was confident the team would pull out the win after leading at halftime, citing their record throughout the season when leading at the break.
“Something happened, defense wasn’t there,” Picón said. “Seeing it go downhill really sucked.”
Picón added that she thinks the team is still going to be a contender next year and lauded fans for showing up on a weekday.
“Chicago’s a great team, a great city. People are here on a Thursday night, and I think the future is bright for the team for sure,” Picón said.
Hours before tipoff, optimistic fans trickled into the arena, wanting the team to get back to the finals but satisfied with their performance throughout the season.
Samantha Correa’s fandom for the Chicago Sky is still young — like herself.
At 9 years old, she’s been a supporter of the team for two years, but this year has been better than last, she said, because her dad got season tickets.
“Last year we were sitting in different seats, but now I get a better view,” Samantha said.
Willie Correa, her dad, said he thinks the pieces are there for sustained success.
“I think the younger group is learning, and I think if we can fit the right pieces in, it can be a dynasty,” Willie Correa said. “Now I feel like it’s just a winning culture, and I would love to continue to see it.”
Robert, who took an Uber from Burbank to see the game, agrees and thinks this Sky team should be mentioned with other great Chicago teams, adding that it’s been the only local team with sustained success in recent years.
He said that making it deep into the playoffs in back-to-back years “is really tough” and, the Sky “are in elite company” with other Chicago teams that have contended for multiple years.
Robert, who asked to be identified only by his first name, hopes the team’s success leads to more exposure for a group “that really deserves it.”
“They already won,” Robert said, adding that he’s glad a winning team is playing in the city and not in the suburbs. “When the Arlington Bears go to Arlington, that’s up to them,” Robert said.
Earl and Diana Clark, both in their 60s, showed up early to Wintrust clad in matching Sky blue tracksuits. While they don’t think the team is a dynasty just yet, they think the group has had a great season.
“I think they did a wonderful job trying to repeat; I think they did an excellent job,” Diana Clark said.
Earl Clark, her husband, has been a fan since 2014, she said. But his enthusiasm for the team rubbed off on Diana, who became a fan of the Sky this year.
“Watching him watch the games I started getting into it, and the fact that they’re here made it easier for me to come and be part of the game.”
The Chatham couple took a bus up to the arena hoping to see a victory. But whatever happens, Diana said she hopes the team “doesn’t lose faith that they can get to this point again.”
