SEATTLE — The Sky returned from the WNBA All-Star break rested mentally and physically and excited to return to play.
By Thursday night, that excitement had been replaced with frustration as they dropped their fourth consecutive game and first in the second half of the season.
In the wake of the Sky’s 80-62 loss to the Mercury in Phoenix, three-time All-Star Kahleah Copper had little to say. But her limited words said it all.
‘‘I don’t know,’’ Copper said in response to a question about how the team is balancing the patience needed with a new group with the urgency required to secure a playoff spot. ‘‘We just gotta figure it out.’’
The Sky (8-13) have had a nonstop list of things to figure out this season. But 21 games into it, interim coach/general manager Emre Vatansever needs to make it all make sense now.
Against the Mercury, issues that have plagued the Sky all season — rebounding, turnovers and fourth-quarter woes — were all on display. They gave up 17 points off second-chance looks and 13 points off turnovers and allowed the Mercury to shoot 45% from three-point range and 46% overall.
The Mercury’s bench outscored the Sky’s 45-19, led by a game-high 20 points from Shey Peddy.
While the Sky’s turnover count was low compared with some of their worst outings this season, it was the timing of the turnovers and the team’s response to them that indicated a bigger problem. Despite having strong friendships off the court, the Sky seem to be consistently disconnected on it.
Vatansever bristled at that assessment after the game Thursday.
‘‘Why do you make that comment?’’ Vatansever asked in response to a question about the Sky’s disconnection at times on the court.
The misreads on offense, slumped shoulders and lack of communication in tough moments are places to start.
‘‘Not at all,’’ Vatansever said about whether he thinks the Sky’s lack of cohesion is an issue. ‘‘I mean, we came back. There are 40 minutes in a game, and there are ups and downs. Of course, there are some times that disconnection happens for both teams. But, no, nothing big.”
Whether the issues are big or small, the Sky haven’t been able to find their rhythm and are close to falling out of playoff position.
The Sparks are one game behind the Sky in the battle for the eighth and final spot in the postseason, but a tight playoff race isn’t what should concern the Sky most. The real concern, if they are put in that position, is whether they have a strong enough belief that they can get the job done together.
‘‘I definitely have the confidence that this group can win together,’’ Copper said. ‘‘It’s just a matter of putting it all together and figuring it out.’’
Vatansever himself still appears to be figuring things out since taking over for departed James Wade. From his coaching staff to his rotations, little has been consistent.
He has gone back and forth between Dana Evans and Marina Mabrey in his closing lineup. He subbed Mabrey out with eight minutes left against the Mercury, and she spent the rest of the game on the bench. She finished with four points on 2-for-12 shooting.
And as far as the coaching staff goes, former Sky assistant Awvee Storey was back on the bench Thursday. When asked about it after the game, Vatansever said Storey is a new addition but didn’t provide a clear answer on what his role will be.
‘‘He’s, like, basketball strategy,’’ Vatansever said. ‘‘But he’ll be bouncing around with a lot of things.’’
The Sky’s PR people told the Sun-Times there will be an announcement coming about coaching changes but didn’t disclose when. It’s unclear whether Storey’s addition means another member of the coaching staff is leaving.
