Latest news with #KiaNurse
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
As the WNBA grows and evolves, camp day games remain a unique staple: 'We know it's gonna be really, really loud'
CHICAGO — Girls wearing red, black and white basketball jerseys filed into the front row of seats at the baseline at Wintrust Arena last week. The jerseys read 'Kia Nurse Elite,' and warming up in front of them was WNBA veteran and Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse, the namesake and patron of their Canadian high-performance summer team. Just as she ran off the court to head to the locker room, Nurse yelled, 'OK, high fives!' and slapped the hands of everyone on her team. These are the kind of interactions that can happen on camp days, a longtime WNBA staple. Games are held during the weekday, with start times around 11 a.m., and the stands are filled with kids from youth basketball teams and day camps around the area. Not every team hosts camp days, while some have held multiple per season. This game against the Atlanta Dream was on July 16, just before the All-Star break, as well as a Nike tournament for girls basketball in Chicago. The atmosphere is loud and fun. While there are lots of things the WNBA needs to change about the season schedule as the league grows and expands, camp days should not be on the chopping block. There's nothing like the exuberance of these games, with kids getting excited about basketball as well as the gameday experience, including scoreboard games encouraging them to dance like a hot-air inflatable, or choose the song they want to hear in full later in the game. (The kids chose Chappell Roan's 'HOT TO GO.') The major hallmark of camp days is that the kids can get really, really loud. 'At one point they were screaming, and then the announcers said 'Louder!', and I was like, I didn't know they could get louder. They did!' Dream forward Brionna Jones said. 'But you definitely feel that energy when you're playing in front of kids, because you know they're out there having fun, it makes you want to go out there.' The noise means the players have to be creative in how they communicate with each other on the court. 'We know it's gonna be really, really loud, so as far as the game goes, just trying to communicate as well as possible so we can actually hear what's going on. But we love that kind of energy that the kids bring,' Atlanta guard Maya Caldwell said. The idea behind camp days is that it will create young WNBA fans, but it's not easy on the players. The Sky's Michaela Onyenwere likes to get to the arena early to go through her pregame routine. With the 11 a.m. tipoff, her alarm clock went off at 6:15 a.m. to give her enough time to get to Wintrust and prepare for the game. Her teammate Rachel Banham admits she is not a morning person, but they both see the importance of the games. 'I think it's really fun for the kids to be able to come out and see us. It's always really, really loud. You can't hear anything, so it's definitely an adjustment, but I think it's cool that kids are able to get out here and see us,' she said. According to Front Office Sports, multiple WNBA team presidents believe the games are still valuable, and cite feedback from fans whose interest began from a camp day game. The game ended up being a blowout win for Atlanta, with the Dream winning 86-49 over the Sky. It was the kind of win that set the Dream up well heading into the second half of the season, and the kind of loss the Sky just want to forget about. Jones had 14 points and 9 rebounds, and was named to the All-Star Game the next day as an injury replacement. Perhaps somewhere among those screaming kids, there was a young girl watching how Jones grabbed those rebounds, how she went hard in the paint, and found a role model. The camp games are a little different for the players, and ask more of them, but they get the point: maybe that young fan will play in a WNBA camp day 20 years from now.
Newsweek
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Chicago Sky vs Minnesota Lynx: Live Stream WNBA, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two teams headed in opposite directions face off on Sunday as the red-hot Minnesota Lynx (16-2), one of the top teams in the league, host the struggling Chicago Sky (5-11), who are looking to turn their season around. Will the Lynx continue their dominant run, or can the Sky pull off a much-needed upset? Tune in Sunday to catch all the action. Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky celebrates a lead with Kia Nurse #11 and Rachel Banham #24 during a 92-85 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Arena on June 29, 2025 in... Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky celebrates a lead with Kia Nurse #11 and Rachel Banham #24 during a 92-85 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Arena on June 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. More Photo byHow to Watch Chicago Sky vs Minnesota Lynx Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM ET Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest Extra Stream: Fubo (Try for free) Despite its losing record, Chicago is coming off a win in its previous game, beating the Los Angeles Sparks 92-85 last weekend. Angel Reese continued to show massive improvement, scoring 24 points while adding 16 rebounds and seven assists. It feels like Chicago has unlocked something by running its offense through her more. Ariel Atkins added 20 points in the victory. Minnesota has won four consecutive regular-season games, including Saturday's 82-71 win over the Golden State Valkyries. MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier had 22 points and six rebounds in the victory, while Courtney Williams added 15 points and Kayla McBride scored 12. This is the first meeting of the 2025 season between these two teams. They'll next play on July 12 and then again two days later on July 14, with the Sky hosting both of those contests. You can watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo, where you can watch all nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. Don't miss out on catching the stars of the game play basketball all summer, including A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers. Live stream the Chicago Sky at Minnesota Lynx game on Fubo: Start your free trial now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky's Ariel Atkins Makes Personal Admission About WNBA Veteran
Chicago Sky's Ariel Atkins Makes Personal Admission About WNBA Veteran originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky entered July with a 5-11 record, anchored near the bottom of the WNBA's Eastern Conference standings. Advertisement Their .313 winning percentage ranks them 10th out of 13 teams, and they've split their last four games heading into Tuesday. Over the last two matchups, however, veteran guard Kia Nurse has delivered her two highest-scoring performances of the season, suggesting a potential shift in Chicago's offensive identity. In a tightly contested 83-78 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on June 27, Nurse poured in 17 points, her season‑best, to go along with an efficient 5-of-11 three‑point shooting performance. Two nights later, back at home against the Los Angeles Sparks, Nurse chipped in 14 points, helping fuel a fourth‑quarter run that secured a 92-85 victory. Advertisement On Tuesday, Sky guard Ariel Atkins offered a candid assessment of her chemistry with Nurse, stating, "We really enjoy each other, we love working with each other, and I think Kia had a phenomenal two, maybe three nights now. When we see one take off, it… gets contagious." Atkins, now in her eighth WNBA season, brings championship pedigree and lockdown defense to the backcourt. Drafted seventh overall by the Washington Mystics in 2018, she was a key contributor to the Mystics' 2019 title run and earned Olympic gold with Team USA at Tokyo 2020. Atkins has been named to the WNBA All‑Defensive Team in each of her first five seasons and is a two‑time All‑Star, holding career averages of 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) guarding Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5).Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Nurse, a Canadian national team standout, has steadily improved her WNBA resume since being selected 10th overall by the New York Liberty in 2018. Advertisement She became the third Canadian to earn an All‑Star nod in 2019 and competed in that year's 3‑point shootout. Now in her seventh year professionally, she's averaged 7.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 16 games in her first year with the Sky. Related: WNBA Responds to Big Caitlin Clark News on Sunday Related: Chicago Sky's Kamilla Cardoso Shares New Photo With Indiana Fever Player This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Star Issues Blunt Response After 11th Loss
Chicago Sky Star Issues Blunt Response After 11th Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky came up just short of a big road win Friday night, falling 83-78 to the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Despite a strong effort, Chicago couldn't slow down the Valkyries in the final minutes. Advertisement The loss marked the Sky's 11th defeat in 15 games this season, placing them just above the last-place Connecticut Sun in the Eastern Conference standings. But as in all pro sports, there's no time to dwell. The Sky will quickly turn the page with a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks. After the game, veteran guard Kia Nurse delivered a clear message about the team's mindset. The Sky's official Instagram account shared her quote alongside the caption, "Onto the next ➡️" Nurse spoke bluntly about the team's need to refocus. 'The beauty of this league is that you have to have a short memory," Nurse said. "In 48 hours, we play a whole other game, a whole other team, so you lock in on the scout and at the end of the day, you're going out there to try to get another win.' Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) defends© Chris Jones-Imagn Images Nurse came off the bench and played 27 minutes, scoring 17 points, tied with Angel Reese for second most on the team. Ariel Atkins led the Sky with 20 points in 37 minutes. Advertisement The 29-year-old guard is in her first season with Chicago. She's started 11 games, averaging 7.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. A former UConn standout, Nurse began her WNBA career with the New York Liberty, where she spent three seasons and earned an All-Star nod in her second year. She later had stints with Phoenix, Seattle and Los Angeles before landing in Chicago. During her college career under Geno Auriemma, Nurse helped UConn win back-to-back NCAA titles in 2015 and 2016. The Sky, who continue adjusting to a new roster and coaching staff, will look to get back on track in Los Angeles. Related: Ranking the 25 Best WNBA Players of All Time Related: WNBA Team Re-Signs Caitlin Clark's Former Teammate After Waiving Another Veteran This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Make Kamilla Cardoso Announcement on Saturday
Chicago Sky Make Kamilla Cardoso Announcement on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky continue to struggle under the leadership of head coach Tyler Marsh. On Saturday, the Sky suffered a blowout loss to the Phoenix Mercury, their second straight defeat. The 107-86 loss to the Mercury dropped the Sky to 3-9 on the season. Advertisement Following the game, the Sky announced Kamilla Cardoso as the "Player of the Game." Cardoso finished the game with 17 points and three rebounds. The Sky center shot 77.8% from the field, finding incredible success inside the painted area. She's been a standout for the Sky all season with 12.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Cardoso has also been solid on the defensive end with 0.7 blocks per game. Several other Chicago Sky players also posted credible numbers, such as Michaela Onyenwere, Ariel Atkins and Kia Nurse. Onyenwere finished the game with 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. Atkins contributed 13 points, two rebounds and four assists, and Nurse posted 10 points and three rebounds. Advertisement Angel Reese finished the game with nine points, two rebounds and two assists. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The Chicago Sky will have a quick turnaround after their matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, set to face the Atlanta Dream at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. Chicago has certainly struggled under Marsh, but only time will tell if the Sky can connect the dots and make a run at the postseason. They're currently 11th in the WNBA standings, two games behind the Las Vegas Aces (5-7) for the eighth and final playoff spot. Related: Fever Coach Stephanie White's Replacement Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Behavior Toward Kate Martin on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
