Stumbling Sky aim to keep pace in playoff race vs. Mercury

An extended rough stretch has left the Chicago Sky outside of a playoff spot in the final days of the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury aren't playing like a team headed to the playoffs.

With little room for error, the Sky can avoid a third straight loss by handing the Mercury their fourth consecutive defeat when the teams meet Sunday in Chicago.

The Sky (13-24) have lost nine of their last 11 games. Chicago won two straight before losing 89-58 at home to the Washington Mystics on Wednesday and 83-66 at the Minnesota Lynx on Friday.

The latter setback dropped the Sky into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with Washington, which owns the tiebreaker. Both teams have three regular-season games remaining.

"We just have to focus on getting wins, and focus on what we can control," guard Lindsay Allen told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Playing without injured star rookie Angel Reese (wrist) for the rest of the season, the Sky shot a combined 36.2 percent in their last two games after scoring 92 points apiece to win the previous two.

Chennedy Carter (17.4 ppg) continues to pace Chicago's offense, while rookie Kamilla Cardoso has been a bright spot amid these dark days, averaging 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in her last six contests.

Cardoso scored 22 points across the teams' first two meetings this season, which Phoenix won by 20 and 18 points, respectively.

The Mercury (17-20) have secured a playoff spot and currently hold the No. 7 seed but have lost their last three games by an average of 18.7 points.

"We just have to believe in ourselves and get back to our rhythm, our shots and playing together," forward Natasha Mack told the Arizona Republic.

Phoenix star and former Sky legend Kahleah Copper (21.6 ppg) could miss her second straight game due to a back injury.

Copper scored 29 points during an 85-65 win in her return to Chicago on Aug. 15.

Without Copper, the Mercury shot 37.5 percent from the floor and made just 6 of 33 3-pointers during Friday's 88-69 home loss to the Connecticut Sun.

Phoenix center Brittney Griner (17.9 ppg) had 26 points, nine boards, five assists and three blocks Friday.

--Field Level Media