As the WNBA preseason heats up, rookie guard Hailey Van Lith has seized the spotlight with her ice-cold shooting and floor leadership, culminating in a game-winning 25-footer that propelled the Chicago Sky past the Minnesota Lynx, 74–69.
Chicago’s new head coach Tyler Marsh had made it clear earlier in the day that Van Lith would receive “significant” minutes against the Lynx. Marsh’s gamble paid off. Not only did the rookie demonstrate shooting range, but her poise in a pressure-packed moment suggested a smooth transition into pro basketball.
The Sky’s balanced attack, bolstered by veteran standouts and a strategic nod from the head coach, set the tone for a promising regular-season run.
The Defining Moment: Hailey Van Lith’s Clutch Triple
In a dimly lit Wintrust Arena on May 6, the atmosphere crackled with tension as the Sky trailed Lynx by two points with under two minutes to play. The ball found rookie guard Van Lith beyond the three-point line, and with a smooth, decisive flick of her wrist, the shot swished through the net.
Moments later, second-year forward Angel Reese took to her Instagram story, simply captioning the highlight: “oh my HVL,” a three-word eruption that captured the dramatic flair of the moment and sent fans into a frenzy.
The contest itself was a tightly contested preseason affair, marking the Sky’s first exhibition game against a WNBA opponent this spring. Chicago emerged victorious by a final of 74-69, handing the Lynx a rare preseason setback and providing an early statement win for the Sky.
As Minnesota’s pressure mounted, all eyes turned to the bench, where Van Lith, just four games into her WNBA career, had earned a substantial 17-minute run to showcase her floor leadership and shooting range. It was Van Lith’s lone basket that proved the defining spark of the evening.
Van Lith, the No. 11 overall pick in April’s WNBA Draft, was handed 17 minutes off the bench—a significant increase from the 13 she played in Chicago’s season-opening exhibition vs. the Brazil National Team.
In that time, she tallied five assists and three rebounds, quietly orchestrating Seattle’s offense and keeping the Lynx defense honest with her off-ball movement.
As the fourth quarter ticked down, the Sky clung to a 67-65 lead when Van Lith brought the ball upcourt. Navigating a tight pocket of space, she rose for a deep 25-foot three-pointer—her first and only points of the night—which found nothing but net with 1:31 remaining, nudging Chicago ahead 69-67.
The Lynx had no answer on the ensuing possession, and the Sky pulled away with free throws and a late layup, solidifying the five-point victory.
Reese, who logged nine points and eight rebounds of her own in her birthday bash performance, was among the first to celebrate Van Lith’s bucket.
The two share a storied past, having teamed up at LSU before Lith’s transfer to TCU in search of a bigger role—a move that earned her Big 12 Player of the Year honors and boosted her draft stock substantially. Now the two are reunited in Chicago.
Chicago Sky’s New “Big 3” Heads to Tame the Fever
Beyond the theatrics of one shot, the Sky are cultivating what some outlets are already dubbing a new “Big 3” in Chicago, featuring Hailey Van Lith alongside Angel Reese and fellow rising star Kamilla Cardoso.
This young triumvirate blends scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility—a recipe Chicago hopes will restore them to playoff contention after missing the postseason in 2024.
With the regular season tipped to begin on May 17 against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, the Sky’s preseason preview provided a glimpse into a team with renewed energy, veteran swagger, and a budding rookie ready to seize the limelight.