The 2026 Commissioner’s Cup came to a close for the Chicago Sky after a six-game stint. The Sky exited the league-wide tournament with a 1-5 record, but their final three games of the in-season gantlet showed the team is turning a corner and playing at a high level despite recent results. 

The Sky’s one-point loss to the New York Liberty during a one-possession battle was the latest emphasis that this Sky team is on the right track. The Sky’s final three games of the in-season tournament offered a sharp contrast from their first three, showcasing the redirection this team made.

Chicago opened Commissioner’s Cup at 1-2, beating Connecticut narrowly, and losing by double figures to two teams hovering around .500 in Washington and Toronto. It would have been easy for a team to not play well against the three best teams in the East in Atlanta, Indiana and New York following that three-game slate. But the Sky have proved time and time again that they are a resilient squad that won’t back down.

Some of the Sky’s turnaround can be attributed to the high-level play of both Skylar Diggins and breakout rookie guard Sydney Taylor. Diggins, pushing for her second straight All-Star and eighth of her career. She showcased toughness and climbed to team lead in points and assists during the in-season tournament. Chicago’s victory over Connecticut was powered by Diggins’ season-high 24 points and season-best 10 made free throws. She averaged 19.0 points and 4.0 assists while making 60% of her threes over the last three games of the Commissioner’s Cup.

Taylor garnered national attention through her tough play through the latter two games of the in-season bout. She averaged a whopping 27 points while shooting a ridiculously good 66.7/57.1/100 line in the outings against Indiana and New York. She earned a starting role against New York after becoming the second WNBA player in league history to score at least 30 points in 21 minutes or less.

Taylor and Diggins helped the Sky into a close game against one of the best teams in the league in New York, almost prevailing after Taylor hit a clutch three-pointer to take the lead with just over 15 seconds left on Wednesday.

“She’s a bucket,” fellow rookie Gabriela Jaquez said. “Everyone can now see it and I'm super proud of her.” 

Speaking of Jaquez, she made her return from injury during the latter part of Commissioner’s Cup and resumed her own All-Rookie campaign. That much was exacerbated during the Sky’s game against New York, in which she scored a career-high 22 points and secured the first 100 points of her career.

Taylor and Jaquez gave Sky fans a glimpse of the promising present and future. The pair is the first of Sky rookies to each score over 20+ points in a game.

It wasn’t just those players. Every single player up and down the roster had electric moments. Natasha Cloud secured 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks to help keep the Sky in a tight fight against Atlanta. She also helped both silence (in Indiana) and ignite (in Chicago) the crowd against both Indiana and New York. Jacy Sheldon and Elizabeth Williams have played heavy minutes and hit big shots in these last three games.

Rookie Aicha Coulibaly had her fair share of standout moments in the overtime match against Indiana while Azura Stevens neared a triple-double in that same game with 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists. All-Star hopeful Kamilla Cardoso has also had her fair share of standout moments, including with four blocks and five assists against Atlanta.

All three teams the Sky faced off against in the second half of the Cup stand within the top five of the WNBA for offensive leaders within the league. Although Chicago ultimately fell in each one, their ability to match the tempo of some of the best-performing teams signals the potential for a breakout second third of the season.

“It’s a selfless team,” head coach Tyler Marsh said. “Everyone wants to win. Everyone is committed.”