The Sky needed a spark.

Friday night, it came with the return of guard Chennedy Carter after a four-game absence that exposed the team’s offensive woes and contributed to a seven-game losing streak that threatened their playoff hopes.

Carter finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 92-78 win over the Sparks at Wintrust Arena, moving the Sky even with the Dream at 12-22 in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot. Rookie forward Angel Reese recorded her 26th double-double, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds.

“I’ve never been in this place, at this point in my career,” said Carter, who has been sidelined by an illness. “To feel (support) from not only our fans, but my teammates and my coaches, it makes me feel loved and appreciated. It’s an amazing feeling.”

When the Sky opened training camp in late April, there was no indication of the impact Carter would make. She made the final roster after initially signing a training camp contract and began her fourth WNBA season on the bench. She then worked her way up to the Sky’s leading scorer and engine of the offense in three months.

The Sky went 0-4 in her absence, and now that she’s back, she’s ready to help them refocus.

“I let them know, ‘Guys, I know I was gone a minute longer than expected, but I’m back now and I’m ready to work with you,'” Carter said Thursday. “‘I missed you guys. I want to make a run. I’m here to do it. Let’s (expletive) do it. Let’s turn the page.'”

Friday was the first step. But the challenge is great. The seven-game skid closed the gap between the Sky and the Dream and put the Mystics within striking distance.

The Sky are last in the league in points per game since play resumed after the Olympics. They also averaged a league-worst 19.3 turnovers per game while Carter was out.

She was particularly looking forward to getting back in touch with her rookie bigs, Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon was equally excited to welcome Carter back.

“She’s just who she is, so dangerous with the ball, there’s a lot of attention on her,” Weatherspoon said Thursday. “She uses screens, pick-and-roll with one of the post players. She’s really good at creating space and even taking two to make that pass to a big player. So I know she’s excited and they’re excited.”

This season marked Carter’s return to the WNBA after the Sparks waived her last season. In her first 12 games as a substitute, she averaged 12.9 points. In the 16 games since, she has averaged 20.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

She will be a restricted free agent in January. Weatherspoon has made it clear she wants Carter in uniform as long as she coaches the Sky.

Ultimately, that decision will depend on who the Sky gets in free agency. But Carter’s stock has undeniably risen.

“This season shows what I’m worth,” she said Friday.