The Chicago Sky return to action Wednesday night as they travel to Barclays Center to take on the New York Liberty in the second meeting of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT (6:00 p.m. CT). New York enters the matchup at 14-12, while Chicago is 9-17.
The first meeting between the two teams came down to the final possession on June 17, when Sabrina Ionescu hit the game-winning basket with 10.3 seconds remaining to give the Liberty a 96-95 victory after overcoming a 15-point deficit. Sydney Taylor led the Sky with 24 points in that contest, while Azurá Stevens added six rebounds. Jonquel Jones paced New York with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Chicago Looking to Bounce Back
The Sky enter Wednesday’s contest after a 93-91 loss to the Atlanta Dream on July 19. Despite the defeat, several players turned in strong performances.
Azurá Stevens led Chicago with 20 points and nine rebounds, Kamilla Cardoso added 15 points and four rebounds, while rookie Sydney Taylor finished with 18 points, including a clutch halfcourt heave and a basket with 6.2 seconds remaining during the Sky’s comeback attempt. Courtney Vandersloot chipped in 11 points and six assists.
Taylor continues to make history in her rookie campaign. She became just the second player in WNBA history to score at least 30 points in 21 or fewer minutes, owns the fastest 25-point game by a Sky rookie, and is averaging the most points per game by an undrafted rookie in league history. She also leads Chicago in scoring per 36 minutes with 24.6 points.
Cardoso has also been on an impressive run, averaging 17.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 combined steals and blocks over her last 11 games while shooting 66.4% from the field.
Stevens has elevated her play recently as well, averaging 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals since July 12 while shooting 52.8% from the floor and 42.1% from three-point range.
Natasha Cloud has provided stability since returning to the starting lineup on July 7. She is averaging 6.0 assists per game as a starter, and over a three-game stretch from July 12-17 averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 56.5% from the field.
Liberty Return Home After Overtime Win
New York returns to Barclays Center after rallying from a 12-point deficit to defeat the Dallas Wings 99-98 in overtime on Monday.
Breanna Stewart recorded 33 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, becoming just the second player in WNBA history to post at least 33 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a game. She also recorded her 1,000th career assist and became the fastest player in league history to reach 6,000 points, 2,500 rebounds and 1,000 assists.
Sabrina Ionescu added 21 points, including 12 points in overtime on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting, tying the WNBA record for points scored in a single overtime period.
Marine Fauthoux contributed a career-high 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, becoming the first rookie guard in WNBA history to post 10 points, 10 rebounds and two made three-pointers as a reserve. Stewart, Fauthoux and Jonquel Jones each finished with double-doubles as New York set season highs with 48 rebounds, 17 offensive rebounds and 30 second-chance points while committing just eight turnovers.
Players to Watch
For Chicago, Kamilla Cardoso and Azurá Stevens will once again anchor the frontcourt, while Sydney Taylor continues her standout rookie season and Natasha Cloud provides veteran leadership in the backcourt.
The Liberty counter with Breanna Stewart, who leads the team with 21.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, Jonquel Jones at 14.8 points and 9.2 rebounds, Sabrina Ionescu averaging 13.8 points and 4.1 assists, and rookie Pauline Astier contributing 9.7 points and 3.6 assists.
Injury Report
Chicago will be without DiJonai Carrington (left foot), Skylar Diggins (right knee), and Rickea Jackson (knee).
New York lists Marine Johannès as questionable (left ankle), while Leonie Fiebich (left foot) and Satou Sabally (concussion protocol) are out.
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