Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Sky are set to face the Atlanta Dream at Wintrust Arena on July 16, with the game beginning at 11 a.m. CT. This matchup will be the third meeting between the two teams this season and serves as an important challenge for the Sky before they head into the All-Star break.

In their previous encounters, the Sky were defeated by the Dream twice in Atlanta. The first loss on June 13 saw Rhyne Howard excel with nine three-pointers and a season-high of 36 points. During this game, Brittney Griner achieved a significant milestone by advancing to second place on the WNBA's all-time blocks list. Despite Kamilla Cardoso leading with 15 points and nine rebounds, along with contributions from Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins, turnovers and defensive issues hindered Chicago's success.

The second matchup on June 22 showed some improvement from Chicago as they managed to control turnovers and compete well against Atlanta's strong frontcourt. Ariel Atkins played a pivotal role by scoring 29 points and contributing defensively with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, Chicago still faced challenges in generating consistent offense, particularly from beyond the arc. Defensively, they struggled to limit Atlanta's perimeter shooting.

As both teams prepare for their next game, injuries have impacted their rosters. The Sky will miss Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins due to leg injuries while Rhyne Howard will be absent for Atlanta because of a knee issue.

For Chicago, managing performance around the three-point line is critical. Offensively, improving floor spacing and ball movement could enhance their perimeter shooting capabilities. Defensively, maintaining discipline during closeouts and communication through screens is necessary to prevent another three-point surge from Atlanta.

Historically speaking, Chicago leads in overall matchups against Atlanta with a record of 37-28; however this season remains challenging as they aim for their first win over the Dream after losing twice previously.