Sky-Stars Preview
Both the San Antonio Stars and Chicago Sky are badly in need of victories thanks to three-game losing streaks. The Stars look to end their winless start at three Friday night while the visiting Sky are seeking their first victory with superstar Elena Delle Donne in the lineup. San Antonio (0-3) didn't have high expectations heading into 2016. The Stars are ranked No. 12 and last in the Associated Press power poll, and feature a young nucleus in third-year guard Kayla McBride, second-year forward Dearica Hamby and rookie guard Moriah Jefferson, the No. 2 pick in the draft out of Connecticut. "We're young which means we're going to make some rookie mistakes but it also means that we have a lot of energy and a lot of players that want to prove something and they want to establish themselves within the league," first-year general manager Ruth Riley said. Chicago had lofty goals with Delle Donne, the reigning MVP, after she averaged 23.4 points a season ago. She's off to a slow start, averaging 17.3 points in three games for the lowest mark in her four-year career. The Sky (1-3) have lost all three games with Delle Donne since routing Connecticut 93-70 in their May 14 opener without her. They have played once with their full lineup since point guard Courtney Vandersloot has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Jamierra Faulkner has filled in adequately in her place and leads the league in field-goal percentage at 65.5. Faulkner had 17 points and 10 assists in Tuesday's 93-80 defeat to Los Angeles. It's been a rough start for Cappie Pondexter, averaging a career-low 13.0 points on 39.6 percent shooting. McBride is averaging 22.0 points to rank among the league's best. She fell one point shy of her career high with 29 in Saturday's 82-77 loss at Dallas. Jefferson went 2 of 8 for five points. She has had trouble adjusting to the next level, averaging 6.3 points and 28.0 percent shooting. Chicago, ranked No. 7, swept both meetings from San Antonio in 2015. |