Pregame Report: Atlanta Dream Host Chicago Sky in Final Game Before All-Star Break

The Atlanta Dream return to Gateway Center Arena on Sunday afternoon looking to continue their recent momentum, while the Chicago Sky aim to pick up a much-needed road victory as the two Eastern Conference rivals meet for the second time this season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, with the game airing nationally on CBS and Paramount+. Atlanta enters the contest with a 15-10 record, while Chicago comes in at 9-16 as both teams continue jockeying for playoff positioning in the second half of the WNBA season.

Atlanta Finding Its Rhythm

The Dream have won two consecutive games and appear to be regaining the form that made them one of the WNBA’s hottest teams earlier this season.

Atlanta is coming off an impressive 111-92 victory over the Toronto Tempo, where all five starters scored in double figures. Naz Hillmon posted a career-high 24 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting performance, while Angel Reese added 23 points and 12 rebounds for another double-double. Jordin Canada controlled the offense with 18 points and 13 assists without committing a turnover, and Allisha Gray contributed 18 points in the win.

The Dream have now scored at least 100 points in two of their last three games and continue to feature one of the league’s most balanced starting lineups.

Chicago Looking to Build Momentum

The Sky enter Sunday’s matchup looking to close the first half of the season on a positive note as they continue battling for a playoff spot.

Chicago will be shorthanded with DiJonai Carrington (left foot) and Skylar Diggins (right knee) both ruled out. Diggins’ absence puts even more responsibility on Natasha Cloud, who has embraced the role of floor general and team leader. Chicago will also lean on rookie Sydney Taylor, who has emerged as one of the team’s hottest scorers, averaging 17.4 points per game over her last five contests and providing an offensive spark during the Sky’s recent stretch.

In the frontcourt, Kamilla Cardoso could be one of Chicago’s biggest keys. In the first meeting against Atlanta, the center finished with 13 points and two rebounds. Against a Dream team that ranks among the league’s best rebounding clubs—particularly on the offensive glass—Chicago will need Cardoso to have a much stronger presence on the boards to help limit second-chance opportunities for Atlanta.

To pull off the road win, the Sky will need to protect the basketball, limit Atlanta’s transition opportunities, and receive balanced contributions from Cloud, Cardoso, Taylor and the rest of the roster.

Previous Meeting

The Dream claimed the first meeting of the season on June 9, defeating the Sky 82-75 in Chicago.

In her first game against her former team, Angel Reese finished with 17 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and two steals, helping Atlanta secure the road victory.

While Reese controlled the paint for Atlanta, Cardoso contributed 13 points for Chicago but was limited to just two rebounds. The rebounding battle ultimately favored the Dream, an area the Sky will need to improve if they hope to even the season series.

Players to Watch

Atlanta Dream

• Allisha Gray – Averaging 18.7 points per game and enters Sunday’s contest after scoring at least 20 points in four consecutive games.
• Rhyne Howard – Averaging 17.8 points while ranking among the WNBA leaders in steals and three-pointers made.
• Angel Reese – Averaging 15.7 points and a league-leading 11.8 rebounds, with 17 double-doubles this season.
• Jordin Canada – Leads the WNBA with seven games of 10 or more assists and is averaging 7.6 assists per game.

Chicago Sky

• Natasha Cloud – With Skylar Diggins sidelined, Cloud will be tasked with leading Chicago’s offense, controlling the pace and creating opportunities for her teammates.
• Kamilla Cardoso – Coming off a 13-point performance against Atlanta in the first meeting, Chicago needs a bigger rebounding effort from the 6-foot-7 center to counter the Dream’s dominance on the glass.
• Sydney Taylor – The rookie has become one of Chicago’s top offensive weapons, averaging 17.4 points per game over her last five games, giving the Sky another perimeter scoring threat.

Key Matchups

Angel Reese vs. Kamilla Cardoso

One of the game’s marquee battles will take place in the paint. Reese dominated the first meeting with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while Cardoso scored efficiently but was held to just two rebounds. Chicago will need Cardoso to make a much bigger impact on the glass to neutralize Atlanta’s relentless rebounding attack.

Jordin Canada vs. Natasha Cloud

Two veteran point guards will be responsible for setting the tone for their respective offenses. Canada’s playmaking has fueled Atlanta’s recent offensive surge, while Cloud’s leadership and decision-making become even more important with Chicago missing two veteran guards.

Atlanta’s Offense vs. Chicago’s Defense

The Dream have scored at least 100 points in two of their last three games. Chicago will need to slow the pace, defend the perimeter, and eliminate second-chance opportunities by finishing possessions with defensive rebounds.

Injury Report

Atlanta Dream

• Brionna Jones — Probable (Right Knee)
• Te-Hina Paopao — Out (Right Leg)

Chicago Sky

• DiJonai Carrington — Out (Left Foot)
• Skylar Diggins — Out (Right Knee)

Three Keys to the Game

Atlanta

• Continue sharing the basketball and capitalize on Canada’s playmaking.
• Win the rebounding battle behind Reese, Hillmon and Brionna Jones.
• Turn defense into offense by forcing turnovers.

Chicago

• Get a dominant rebounding performance from Kamilla Cardoso.
• Lean on Natasha Cloud’s leadership to handle Atlanta’s defensive pressure.
• Continue riding Sydney Taylor’s hot shooting to keep pace offensively.

Final Outlook

Atlanta enters Sunday’s contest playing some of its best basketball of the season, but Chicago has several intriguing storylines heading into the matchup. With Natasha Cloud taking on an expanded leadership role, rookie Sydney Taylor emerging as a consistent scorer, and Kamilla Cardoso looking to make a greater impact on the glass, the Sky have the pieces to challenge the Dream. Still, if Atlanta continues to dominate the rebounding battle and maintains its balanced offensive attack, the Dream will have the advantage in the season’s second meeting.