On a late-summer Wednesday night, the Wintrust Arena in Chicago played host to a matchup that, on paper, might not have screamed playoff implications, but certainly featured plenty of intrigue for fans of the WNBA’s rebuilding franchises. The Connecticut Sun, arriving with a 10-30 record, squared off against the Chicago Sky, who themselves carried a 9-30 mark into the contest. With both teams languishing near the bottom of the standings, this game represented more than just a battle for pride—it was a showcase of young talent, future potential, and, for some, a shot at redemption in a season full of adversity.
The betting markets had their say before tipoff: Chicago entered as modest 1.5- to 2-point favorites at home, with odds ranging from -122 on the moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook to -140 at other outlets. The over/under was set at 162 points, a nod to both teams’ recent struggles to light up the scoreboard. For those following the action, the contest was broadcast live on The U, ensuring fans wouldn’t miss a minute as these two squads looked to end their respective skids.
Neither the Sun nor the Sky have enjoyed the kind of season they’d hoped for. In fact, both franchises found themselves in the unenviable position of not controlling their own first-round draft picks—a rare, if not downright cruel, twist for teams enduring tough campaigns. Chicago’s pick, boasting the second-best odds for the top selection, was already earmarked for the Minnesota Lynx. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s pick, locked into the fifth spot in the lottery, had been traded to the Sky before a mass exodus of Sun players last offseason. As a result, fans of both teams watched each loss with a mixture of frustration and resignation, knowing there’d be no immediate draft-day reward for their patience.
Still, there were glimmers of hope on both rosters. For the Sun, the late-season emergence of Leila Lacan as a starter injected much-needed energy and playmaking into the lineup. Her move to the first unit, combined with the steady production of Tina Charles (16.4 points, 1.7 assists per game) and Marina Mabrey (14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds), gave Connecticut a more dynamic look. Bria Harley, dishing out 3.1 assists per contest, also played a key role in orchestrating the offense, despite being listed as doubtful for this game due to a knee injury. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who was questionable with a back issue, remained a possible X-factor on the boards.
Heading into the matchup, the Sun had dropped three of their previous four games, including losses to the Lynx and Dream, but had managed to win five of their last nine overall—a marked improvement from earlier stretches. Their statistical profile told the story of a team still searching for consistency: 76.3 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting, 30.5 percent from deep, and a respectable 79.7 percent at the free throw line. Defensively, they allowed 85.7 points on 46.5 percent shooting, with opponents hitting nearly 35 percent from beyond the arc. On the glass, Connecticut was pulling down 32.4 rebounds per outing.
The Sky, meanwhile, were mired in an even deeper funk, having lost nine of their last ten and failing to notch a single victory since August 21. The absence of veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot, sidelined with a torn ACL, and Hailey Van Lith, out with an ankle injury, left Chicago shorthanded in the backcourt. But the team’s young frontcourt stars gave reason for optimism. Angel Reese, the former LSU standout, was a double-double machine, averaging 14.6 points and a league-best 12.8 rebounds per game. Ariel Atkins added 13.5 points and 3.3 rebounds, while Kamilla Cardoso continued to develop as a reliable third scoring option. Rachel Banham chipped in on the boards, and the Sky as a unit were shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 33 percent from three, with a slightly lower free throw mark at 75.5 percent. Defensively, however, they allowed 86 points per game and 36.8 percent shooting from deep, though they did out-rebound their opponents with 36 boards per contest.
Despite the bleak records, both teams had something to prove. The Sun, 22-18 against the spread on the season, had actually beaten the Sky twice in the previous month, suggesting that recent history favored the visitors. As one analyst put it, “The Sun have shown more life, sprinkling wins here and there, and they’re a profitable 22-18 ATS on the season. The Sun also beat up on the Sky twice last month. So, in a toss-up game between two teams with nothing to play for, give me the team that’s still playing hard in the Sun.”
For Chicago, all eyes were on Angel Reese, who had scored 12 or more points in five of her last seven games. The expectation was that she’d have a strong advantage in the paint against Connecticut’s interior defense, and betting props reflected that confidence. The best bets heading into the night? The under on total points, given both squads’ offensive struggles, and Reese to hit at least 12 points—a mark she’s made a habit of reaching.
Injuries continued to shape the narrative. With Bria Hartley doubtful for Connecticut and Nelson-Ododa’s status in question, the Sun’s depth was tested. On the other side, the Sky’s backcourt woes forced coach and players alike to dig deep into the rotation, searching for combinations that could spark a stagnant attack. Nonetheless, the contest promised plenty of hustle, if not always polish, as both teams leaned into their youth and athleticism.
As the game tipped off at 8:00 p.m. EDT, fans settled in for what was expected to be a gritty, closely contested affair. The first half saw both squads trading baskets, with neither able to establish a significant lead. Tina Charles and Leila Lacan pushed the pace for Connecticut, while Angel Reese dominated the glass on both ends for Chicago. Each possession felt like a test of will, with the crowd at Wintrust Arena doing its best to energize the home side.
With the playoff picture out of reach, the focus for both teams shifted to player development and building chemistry for the future. The Sun’s recent uptick in form, driven by Lacan’s emergence and the steady hands of Charles and Mabrey, offered a glimpse of what could be in store next season. For the Sky, the continued growth of Reese and Cardoso gave fans a reason to believe better days lie ahead, especially once the roster returns to full health.
As the final buzzer approached, the outcome remained in doubt. Would the Sun’s recent momentum carry them past the Sky for a third straight time, or could Chicago’s young stars finally snap their losing streak at home? One thing was certain: while the standings might not reflect it, both teams left everything on the court, setting the stage for a fascinating offseason and the promise of brighter tomorrows.
