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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd.

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👋 Hi, Everett here.  I'm an editor at Axios Chicago here to tell you to cancel your Sunday night plans.

What's happening: The defending champion Chicago Sky survived the first round to again face the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA semifinals. 

Tip: 7pm at Wintrust Arena, and on ESPN2. 

Flashback: The Sun had the WNBA's best record, the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage last year against the sixth-seeded Sky, but Chicago pulled out a couple of nail-biters to win the series, 3-1.

Eleven days later, the Sky beat the Phoenix Mercury to win their first WNBA championship. 

The intrigue: This year, the tables are flipped. No. 2 Chicago is the higher seed, has home court advantage and dominated the regular-season series.

Chicago won all four matchups, though each by a single-digit margin and two by just three points, per ESPN.

The WNBA has not, incredibly, seen a repeat champion since 2002. 

Yes, but: The Sky are better than last season.

Veteran forward Emma Meesseman has been a revelation playing alongside Candace Parker, while coach/general manager James Wade was named 2022 Executive of the Year for improving an already loaded roster.

Sky back in WNBA semifinals against the Sun

Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky dribbles the ball during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs

Candace Parker during the Sky's Game 3 win in the first round over the New York Liberty. Photo: Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images

WNBA

👋 Hi, Everett here. I&#x27;m an editor at Axios Chicago here to tell you to cancel your Sunday night plans.What&#x27;s happening: The defending champion Chicago Sky survived the first round to again face the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA semifinals.

Sports

Justin Fields capped off the most impressive drive of his short career with a go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown throw to Darnell Mooney, but Chicago's defense ultimately couldn't hold off the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. 

The 29-27 loss was marred by 12 Chicago penalties, including a questionable taunting call late.

Why it matters: The Bears have now lost four in a row after starting the season 3-2. 

Play of the game: DeAndre Houston-Carson scooping up a fumble on a punt and returning it 25 yards for a momentum-shifting touchdown in the fourth. 

Justin Fields: The quarterback showed flashes, like a beautiful 50-yard bomb to Marquise Goodwin, against a tough Steelers defense. He also threw a terrible interception directly into the hands of a Pittsburgh lineman. 

So it goes with a rookie. Fields finished with 291 passing yards and another 45 yards on the ground. 

MVP(s): Despite missing Khalil Mack, the defensive line kept the Bears in this game. The Steelers dominated time of possession but averaged just 3.2 yards per carry.

LVP: Recently acquired wide receiver Jakeem Grant fumbled a kickoff and made several questionable special teams decisions.

What's next: The Bears limp into their bye week needing a hard regroup. They take on the Ravens in Week 11. 

MMQB: Bears drop fourth straight

The Bears limp into their bye week needing a hard regroup.

Justin Fields runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

Justin Fields capped off the most impressive drive of his short career with a go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown throw to Darnell Mooney, but Chicago&#x27;s defense ultimately couldn&#x27;t hold off the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. <ul><li>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="29-27 loss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401326464" data-vars-content-id="3392ed96-7958-439a-94f7-b3c0a4aa0cea" data-vars-headline="MMQB: Bears drop fourth straight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401326464" target="_blank">29-27 loss</a> was marred by 12 Chicago penalties, including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="questionable taunting call" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/1457935203444396037?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet" data-vars-content-id="3392ed96-7958-439a-94f7-b3c0a4aa0cea" data-vars-headline="MMQB: Bears drop fourth straight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/1457935203444396037?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet" target="_blank">questionable taunting call</a> late.</li></ul>

The superteam era has officially hit the WNBA, which kicks off its 27th season Friday with four games.

A crazy offseason full of former MVPs and All-Stars joining forces sets the table for what could be an epic summer of basketball.

Why it matters: It's unclear how many epic games the Sky are going to find themselves in this season.

Two years after winning one of the most improbable championships in WNBA history, the Chicago Sky looks like a shell of the team that celebrated in front of thousands in Millennium Park.

Driving the news: Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Emma Meesseman are all off the roster.

Intriguing newcomers include guards Courtney Williams and Marina Mabrey, plus forward Isabelle Harrison — but this season is going to be about Kahleah Copper.

What we're watching: The 28-year-old guard has been named an All-Star the last two years after a slow start to her career. If Copper makes the leap to a top-10 player this year, the Sky will have the kind of player you can build around.

If she doesn't, this roster might get blown up quickly.

Take a look at every WNBA team's chances at a 2023 title, ranked by their odds.

Kahleah Copper is the last hope for the Chicago Sky

The Sky are now a shell of the team that celebrated in front of thousands in Millennium Park.

Kahleah Copper dribbles a basketball, trying to evade a defender of the Minnesota Lynx.

Kahleah Copper dribbles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Lynx. Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="superteam era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/07/wnba-superteam-era-basketball" data-vars-content-id="690b337c-d75d-47ee-812c-963f4de3f7fb" data-vars-headline="Kahleah Copper is the last hope for the Chicago Sky" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/07/wnba-superteam-era-basketball" target="_self">superteam era</a> has officially hit the WNBA, which kicks off its 27th season Friday with four games.<ul><li>A crazy offseason full of former MVPs and All-Stars joining forces sets the table for what could be an epic summer of basketball.</li></ul>

It's been 20 years since a WNBA team has won back-to-back titles. If the Chicago Sky and Candace Parker are going to repeat this season, it all starts in free agency.

 Why it matters: Chicago had just four players under contract (including Parker and forward Azurá Stevens) going into the off-season. 

Free agents could be signed starting yesterday and things are already getting interesting. 

👍 Who's in: Finals MVP Kahleah Copper is back, reportedly on a multi-year deal. The guard led the team in scoring last year and is the motor of the offense. 

2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman is leaving the Mystics for the Sky, per the Sun-Times. The Belgian didn't play in the WNBA last year to focus on the Olympics but is one of the top-shooting forwards in the league. An under-the-radar signing that could end up looking like a coup. 

👋 Who's out: Center Stefanie Dolson is signing with the Liberty. The New York native is a fan favorite and a good player but was also just seventh on the team in rebounding last year. 

Meesseman's signing likely means Diamond DeShields is gone. While 2018's No. 3 overall pick showed flashes, she shot less than 40% last year.

🤔 Who's up in the air: The Vanderquigs. Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley are married and a package deal. Losing both dynamic guards would be devastating but now looks more likely after the Sky offered Vandersloot a "disrespectful offer," per ESPN's Holly Rowe.

Parker turns 36 in April and won't withstand a full season at center. Does the Dolson replacement come from a bench promotion or free agency?

The bottom line: Chicago won a title last year on ball movement, so adding Meesseman makes a strength even stronger.

Chicago Sky making free agency moves

The defending WNBA champs add Emma Meesseman, say goodbye to a fan favorite.

Players celebrate winning a basketball championship. 

Kahleah Copper celebrates after winning the WNBA Finals MVP last year. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images

It&#x27;s been 20 years since a WNBA team has won back-to-back titles. If the Chicago Sky and Candace Parker are going to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="repeat this season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2021/10/18/chicago-sky-high-wnba-title-phoenix-mercury" data-vars-content-id="f16e3bef-357a-4c69-9f0c-6549b46118d7" data-vars-headline="Chicago Sky making free agency moves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2021/10/18/chicago-sky-high-wnba-title-phoenix-mercury" target="_self">repeat this season</a>, it all starts in free agency.

Everett Cook

Featured stories

Kahleah Copper is the last hope for the Chicago Sky

Sky back in WNBA semifinals against the Sun

Chicago Sky making free agency moves

MMQB: Bears drop fourth straight