By Caitlin Nicholson

The Chicago Sky will head east to face the Washington Mystics for the third time this season on Tuesday, July 28, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST at CareFirst Arena. The Sky enter the matchup fresh off a hard-fought battle against the Indiana Fever, one of the most highly attended games in WNBA history After enduring a five-game losing streak, Chicago will be looking to bounce back as they aim to hand the Mystics a loss.

In their previous two matchups with the Mystics, the Sky came up just short, falling 72-79 on June 17 and 79-81 on July 8. Both games were tightly contested, setting the stage for a highly competitive third meeting as Chicago looks to flip the script. 

In the first game, Angel Reese (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Kamilla Cardoso (18 points, 10 rebounds) each logged double-doubles, while Mystics’ Brittney Sykes exploded for a career-high 32 points. Although the Sky had built a 44-32 lead by halftime, sparked by a dominant 19-4 run in the second quarter, the Mystics stormed back outscoring the Sky 24-12 in the third quarter. Ultimately, Chicago suffered from costly turnovers, committing 22 to the Mystics’ 16, and struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 30.0% from three-point range.

In the second game, the Sky lost an even tighter matchup as Shakira Austin sealed the game with 2.8 seconds remaining, after drawing a foul on the final Washington possession. For the Sky, Angel Reese led with 22 points, 15 rebounds and four assists, while Elizabeth Williams posted a season-high 20 points and seven rebounds. For Washington, Austin delivered a well-rounded performance with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Rookie Sonia Citron chipped in 13 points, and Kiki Iriafen recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. The game was a back-and-forth battle, featuring 10 lead changes and 14 ties, but Washington’s depth ultimately proved decisive, with their bench outscoring Chicago’s 22-11.

What to watch for the Sky: How they adjust with limited bench depth

The Sky continue to navigate key injuries and absences, which have significantly thinned their bench. With Courtney Vandersloot out for the season, Ariel Atkins injured, and Hailey Van Lith and Michaela Onyenwere listed as questionable, the Sky have major depth concerns. As a result, the starters will be asked to shoulder a heavy load, but the outcome may hinge on how much support the bench can provide. Coming off the bench, players like Maddy Westbeld and Elizabeth Williams will need to step up and deliver quality minutes to relieve pressure and maintain competitiveness throughout the game. 

Overall, the Washington Mystics have a winning record of 40-37 over the Chicago Sky. Expect a competitive battle as they Sky aim to end their losing streak and get back on track with a win.