Home Team: Chicago Sky
Away Team: Seattle Storm
Location: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
When is Game Time? Wednesday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Where can I stream or watch on TV? League Pass
Following a loss to the New York Liberty, the Chicago Sky return home to take on the Seattle Storm as part of a three-game home stand before the All-Star break begins.
FACING THE STORM
In their third and final matchup of the season, the Sky look to come out victorious against Seattle. Though the Storm have come back to win both games, the Sky are looking for a different outcome this game. Overall, the Sky have an 11-17 record against Seattle.
The last time the Sky visited the Storm, they lost 96-85. Despite being up 73-65 after three quarters, the Storm fought back in the fourth quarter with the help of forward Breanna Stewart, who had 30 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Forward Cheyenne Parker led the bench scoring 10 points and paced the team with 10 rebounds in addition to her two steals and one blocked shot. Rookie guard Diamond DeShields and guard Allie Quigley combined for 42 points, but it was not enough against the big three of Stewart, forward Natasha Howard and guard Jewell Loyd, who combined for 64 points.
In their first meeting of the season, the two teams played a close game that went into overtime in order to determine a winner. Although the Storm won 95-91, the Sky’s defense held the Storm to 21 percent from behind the arc. The Chicago bench outscored Seattle 36-17 as guard Jamierra Faulkner posted 14 points and a season-high nine assists. DeShields finished with 19 points and six assists. Parker led the team with eight rebounds and also added eight points and one block.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Linnae Harper
Undrafted rookie guard Linnae Harper led the bench in scoring on Sunday against the Liberty, notching 10 points and two assists in her 10 minutes of play. Look for her to make another statement off the bench in the absence of Faulkner.
Diamond DeShields
DeShields continues to make an impact for the team, finishing her most recent game on Sunday with 14 points, a team-high four rebounds and two assists. This marks her 15th game in double figures. Watch for the rookie to find scoring chances alongside the help of veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot.
Courtney Vandersloot
Vandersloot dished out a team-high eight assists in the loss to New York Sunday, and enters the game averaging a league-leading 7.7 assists per game. Vandersloot will be a key player in leading the team to a victory and a hopeful playoff spot.