Tip‑off: 8:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: WNBA League Pass, CW26
Venue and context
Wintrust Arena is Chicago’s home floor, where the Sky are 5–7 at home this season, a slightly below‑average mark but notably better than their overall record. Connecticut comes in 3–11 on the road, so the setting clearly leans toward Chicago in terms of comfort and performance.
Current team records and profiles
Connecticut Sun: 7–21 (3–11 away)
PPG: 80.1
FG%: 43.6%
3P%: 29.0%
FT%: 69.4%
Rebounds: 32.9 per game
Chicago Sky: 9–18 (5–7 home)
PPG: 87.5
FG%: 44.3%
3P%: 31.4%
FT%: 76.5%
Rebounds: 33.1 per game
Chicago is the more potent offensive team, scoring over seven points per game more than Connecticut, while both sides are similar on the glass.
Current rosters and key contributors
Chicago Sky
Primary rotation/key players:
G Natasha Cloud: 9.8 PPG, 4.6 APG — floor general and primary facilitator.
G Sydney Taylor: 18.5 PPG over last 10 games; coming off a 31‑point performance vs New York.
F/C Kamilla Cardoso: 16 points in the last meeting vs Connecticut; interior scoring and rebounding anchor.
With Skylar Diggins out, Cloud and Taylor shoulder most of the perimeter creation, while Cardoso provides size and rim presence.
Connecticut Sun
Primary rotation/key players:
F/C Olivia Nelson‑Ododa: 9.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG — main frontcourt presence.
G/F Kennedy Burke: 1.7 made threes per game over the last 10; key perimeter shooter.
C Brittney Griner: Led the Sun with 14 points in the 92–63 win over Chicago on June 22.
F Aaliyah Edwards: Frontcourt energy and defense when available.
Connecticut’s offense is more balanced but less explosive, relying on collective scoring rather than a single high‑usage star.
Injury report
Chicago Sky
Skylar Diggins: Out (knee).
DiJonai Carrington: Day‑to‑day (foot).
Rickea Jackson: Out for season (knee).
Diggins and Jackson being out significantly reduce Chicago’s top‑end scoring and shot‑creation depth, putting more pressure on Taylor and Cloud.
Connecticut Sun
Aaliyah Edwards: Day‑to‑day (knee).
Brittney Griner: Day‑to‑day (knee).
If Griner and Edwards both play, Connecticut’s frontcourt size and rim protection improve dramatically; if either sits, their interior defense and rebounding suffer.
Recent form
Chicago Sky (last 10 games)
Record: 4–6
Offense: 94.4 PPG, 48.2% FG
Rebounds: 32.7 per game
Assists: 24.2 per game
Opponents’ PPG: 92.3
Chicago has been playing in high‑scoring games, with strong offensive efficiency but leaky defense. Taylor’s scoring surge has kept them competitive.
Connecticut Sun (last 10 games)
Record: 4–6
Offense: 80.6 PPG, 44.7% FG
Rebounds: 30.9 per game
Assists: 20.4 per game
Opponents’ PPG: 85.4
Connecticut plays at a lower offensive pace and output, but their defense is slightly more stable than Chicago’s, keeping opponents around mid‑80s.
Series history
2026 season series is currently tied 1–1:
June 5, 2026 — Chicago 85, Connecticut 80 (Wintrust Arena)
June 22, 2026 — Connecticut 92, Chicago 63 (Wintrust Arena)
Historically, dating back several seasons, Connecticut has had the upper hand overall, winning a majority of regular‑season and playoff meetings, including multiple decisive victories in 2024–2025 and the 2022 playoff series.
The split this year shows that matchup dynamics can swing sharply depending on shooting and frontcourt availability.
Key player vs. player matchups
Sydney Taylor (CHI) vs. Connecticut perimeter defense
Taylor: 18.5 PPG over last 10; 31 points vs Liberty in the most recent game.
Connecticut allows 8.2 made threes per game to opponents and a 46.3% FG overall, indicating vulnerability to hot perimeter scorers.
Edge: Slightly Chicago, if Taylor continues her scoring form and Connecticut doesn’t aggressively trap or deny her off screens.
Natasha Cloud (CHI) vs. Kennedy Burke / Connecticut guards
Cloud’s 4.6 APG and steady ball‑handling drive Chicago’s offense. Burke and the Sun guards must disrupt passing lanes without over‑helping off shooters.
Edge: Chicago in playmaking; Connecticut in turnover creation (they force 14.7 TOs per game).
Kamilla Cardoso (CHI) vs. Olivia Nelson‑Ododa / Brittney Griner (CON)
Cardoso’s interior scoring and rebounding are central to Chicago’s half‑court offense. Connecticut’s ability to counter depends heavily on Griner’s availability and Nelson‑Ododa’s physicality.
Edge: Even if Griner plays; Chicago if Griner is limited or out.
Pace and spacing: Chicago shooters vs. Connecticut’s 3‑point defense
Chicago allows 7.5 made threes per game, while Connecticut only hits 5.3 threes per game themselves, but the Sun’s defense gives up a high opponent 3P volume.
This suggests Chicago can win the math battle from deep if Taylor and role shooters are efficient.
Betting trends
Chicago scores 87.5 PPG, Connecticut 80.1 PPG.
Chicago’s last 10: 94.4 PPG scored, 92.3 allowed.
Connecticut’s last 10: 80.6 PPG scored, 85.4 allowed.
Connecticut has already blown out Chicago once this season (92–63), showing upset potential if their defense and interior scoring peak.
Final outlook
This matchup is a classic contrast: Chicago’s higher‑octane offense and home‑court advantage against Connecticut’s more defensive, grind‑oriented style. The injuries on both sides complicate the picture, but the most recent data points to Chicago having enough scoring and playmaking to edge out a competitive game.
GAME ODDS
Connecticut Sun 174.5
Chicago Sky – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, July 29, 2026
