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🌤 CLEAR SKIES IN CHICAGO?
THE CHICAGO SKY ARE MAKING A NAME FOR THEMSELVES
Tyler Marsh. Photo via the Chicago Sky.
Despite all the criticisms sent their way, the Chicago Sky have gotten off to a great start this season.
The organization has been under fire for years now. Between star players moving on, questionable trades, the firing of a beloved WNBA icon, the team’s practice facility being behind schedule, lawsuits, and a lack of postseason success since the 2021 WNBA championship, things have not gone well in the court of public opinion for the Sky.
However, maybe that’s starting to change.
The Sky improved their record to 2-0 following a gritty road victory against the Golden State Valkyries on May 13. Offense was incredibly hard to come by as both teams combined to shoot just 32.6 percent from the field.
Making matters worse, the Sky missed eight free throws on the night. There are some nights when you have to grind it out, and if you bring the energy on defense every game, things will break your way.
“This is the type of team that we’ve wanted,” Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said. “We shouldn’t take it for granted that when we play defense like this, when we have the effort that we came out with in the second half, we can overcome those offensive struggles. We just kept sticking with it.”
Jacy Sheldon added:
We got a lot of dogs. We got a lot of competitors, ultra-competitors. As far as our identity goes, you got a team full of people who are going to give it their all every game.
Led by Skylar Diggins and the newly acquired Natasha Cloud and Rickea Jackson, the Sky have players with a lot to prove. 2025 was disappointing for various reasons for a lot of their stars, and they hope to bounce back in a major way in 2026. They’ve got two more games to go on this four game road trip, but if they finish strong, they’ll return home with plenty of good energy for the home opener.
The Chicago Sky have a lot to prove.
The franchise’s reputation has taken its fair share of hits, but a lot of their woes can be forgiven with good play and plenty of wins. It’s a long process to get back to where they once were, but every positive step forward is a good one.
The Lineup
Here’s what you need to know today:
⛈️ Across the BRM Network
The Seattle Storm have some decisions to make
🎧The Extra Possession: Getting into the Liberty Offensive Identity
🌟 A special honor in Los Angeles
Lisa Leslie will join some special company
💰 Money moves
The Sun sale is officially official. Now comes the hard part.
🗓 Upcoming games
What’s on deck to begin the week.
📰 What we’re reading
Some great writing that’s come across our desks.
NEW Paid Subscribers Mini Podcast
Satou Sabally went to the 2025 WNBA Finals with Phoenix — and still walked away.
In this episode of The Extra Possession, she opens up about what went into that decision, what drew her to the New York Liberty this offseason, and the story behind her name — where it comes from and what it means to her.
It's the kind of conversation that reminds you there's always more to the player than the box score. Exclusive to subscribers.
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⛈️ ACROSS THE BRM NETWORK
THE SEATTLE STORM WORK THROUGH SOME THINGS
Photo via the Seattle Storm.
One week in, and the Seattle Storm have some things to figure out.
On the latest edition of Tempestade Talk, Erica L. Ayala and Roberta F. Rodrigues broke down the latest with the Storm following their loss to the Toronto Tempo
The Storm are not at full strength yet as Awa Fam is still competing in Eurobasket.
However, Jade Melbourne has been a pleasant surprise to begin the season as she’s scored in double figures in each game so far. Jade is second on the team in scoring and first in three point percentage.
As Sonia Raman continues to experiment with lineups, we’ll see what combinations work best with what she and the team are trying to accomplish.
🌟 A SPECIAL HONOR!
LISA LESLIE JOINS SOME LEGENDARY COMPANY
Lisa Leslie. Photo via the LA Sparks.
As the WNBA celebrates its 30th season, one of its original superstars will take her place in history.
On May 14, it was announced that Sparks legend Lisa Leslie will have a statue erected in her honor outside of Crypto Arena in Los Angeles this September. Leslie is the second WNBA player to have a statue built following Sue Bird in 2025. In Los Angeles, Leslie will join a who’s who of basketball royalty with statues outside the arena:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Elgin Baylor
Gigi Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Chick Hearn
Magic Johnson
Shaquille O’Neal
Pat Riley
Jerry West
Leslie spoke about the honor in an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America
Leslie was the first WNBA superstar in Los Angeles as she won the Most Valuable Player Award three times and finished in the Top Ten in every season of her career. Lisa led the team to two titles and handed the baton to Candace Parker to begin the next era of Sparks basketball.
Even today, Leslie’s presence in women’s basketball is felt as she serves as an analyst for CBS Sports alongside our very own Erica L. Ayala and TNT during Unrivaled. Leslie is an all around amazing talent and as the game continues to grow, her presence shines brightly.
“More than an athlete, she is a pioneer, a cultural icon and a force who elevated women’s basketball to new heights, Magic Johnson said.
“This statue celebrates her excellence, her leadership and the future she helped create, and it ensures her impact will forever be part of the fabric of this city.”
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💰 MONEY MOVES
THE GREAT HOUSTON MYSTERY, PART 1
Photo via the Connecticut Sun.
The Connecticut Sun’s sale is officially official. However, the story doesn’t end there.
In a unanimous vote on May 13, the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. With this move, the Sun’s sunset season will carry on as we count down the days to the finale.
As the transition to Houston begins, there are questions as to who will make the move from Connecticut to Texas. At an introductory press conference, Houston leadership stated they would like for key Sun figures such as team president Jennifer Rizzotti and general manager Morgan Tuck to remain onboard during the transition.
For as much as we focus on the basketball side of things, the other ancillary positions in the organization matter as well. So far, it looks like they’ll be able to stick around if they so choose.
“The feeling that I have been given so far is that everybody that’s working for this organization is welcome to go to Houston,” Rizzotti said.
“ So we’ll have more formal conversations as we move forward, but that at least has been communicated to me and allowed me to ease a little bit of that anxiety amongst the staff.”
The Connecticut Sun sale has been chaotic and frustrating. Sun fans have been left in the cold as the WNBA chases greener pastures and NBA dollars. The Sun will play this season with honor, but the feeling of sadness will be hard to shake in Connecticut.
There’s another big issue hovering over the Sun’s move to Houston, and we’ll get to that in the next edition of the Women’s Basketball Roundup!
⛹🏽♀️ UPCOMING GAMES
Here’s the schedule for the next few days
🎙️ UPCOMING LIVESTREAMS
📰 WHAT WE’RE READING
At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.
Here’s what we’re reading:
A SEAT AT THE TABLE by Khristina Williams, Sincerely, Unanimous Media
The Seattle Storm just signed a defensive specialist by Noa Dalzell, Breakaway
Valkyries Report: Newly signed Valkyries star Gabby Williams was once a Mission Rec Rebel by Marissa Ingemi, Valkyries Beat
Kawakami: Year 2 Valkyries — how do you keep the culture but keep getting better? by Tim Kawakami, The San Francisco Standard
Aziaha James is Ready to Meet the Opportunity by Tyler Deluca, No Cap Space
The Play-by-Play Pioneer Hiding in Plain Sight by Bryan Curtis, The Ringer
Why Steve Kerr stayed with the Warriors by Wright Thompson, ESPN
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