The Liberty have one more game before the league takes off for the WNBA FIBA World Cup — getting an extra win before the break would go a long way. New York is coming off a season-low 60 points in a 19-point loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
Golden State has their number all season long and clinched a season sweep with the win. For the Liberty, it was just another day in the life of an inconsistent basketball team. Dating back to August 15, the Liberty have not won consecutive games during a four-game span (one loss vs. the Sky). They clinched the playoffs following a Fire loss, but it wasn’t necessarily convincing.
They came up with a huge win against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever right before a five-day break. You’d imagine their legs were fresh and they’d punch back at the Valkyries, but it never happened.
Perhaps they entered the break a little too early. It’ll be important for them to lock in one last game before heading out. We’ll see if the Chicago Sky might have something to say about that.
Lucas Kaplan Breaks Down New York’s 79-60 loss to Golden State
Game Info & Broadcast Details
- Matchup: Chicago Sky (15-24) at New York Liberty (23-16)
- Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Tip-off Time: 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
- Venue: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
- TV/Streaming: CBS
Liberty vs. Sky Injury Report: Who’s Out?
Liberty injury status:
- Not with team – Satou Sabally (head)
Chicago Sky injury status
- Out – Skylar Diggins – right knee
- Out – Dijonai Carrington – left foot
- Questionable – Natasha Cloud – right knee
Liberty vs. Sky: Head-to-Head
New York leads the season series 2-1. The Liberty won the first meeting 96-95 on June 17 and the second one 95-94 on July 22 while the Sky won the most recent matchup 93-86 on August 18.
Saturday’s game is the final regular-season meeting between the Liberty and Sky and the last weekend before the FIBA World Cup break. Several New York players are expected to leave for national-team duty, so Chris DeMarco will have to balance winning Saturday’s game with finding the right lineup combinations for the postseason.
One area to watch is New York’s ability to attack the paint. The Sky allow 24.5 field-goal attempts per game inside the restricted area, the second-highest mark in the WNBA. After the Liberty managed only six attempts inside the restricted area against Golden State, getting downhill and creating more opportunities around the rim should be a priority against Chicago.
The Liberty will look to get back into the painted area this evening. The Sky allow 24.5 field goal attempts per game inside the restricted area, second highest mark in the WNBA. Against the Valkyries, the Liberty only got six shots inside the RA. In order for them to find success, they need to find their way into the paint more often than not.
The playoffs are fast approaching, and the Liberty have a lot to clean up.
Player to watch: Kamilla Cardoso
The Sky are still trying to figure out their future, and a big part of it depends on Cardoso. Cardoso is eighth in the WNBA in rebounding at 8.4 boards per game and is shooting a career best 54.8 percent from the field. However, despite the impressive numbers, it feels like something is missing.
Whether it be an extra gear, more forceful rim protection, or just better play, it feels like there’s a barrier in place preventing Cardoso from elevating her game. Sky management don’t have time to wait. If Cardoso is going to take that next step, she’s going to need to do it as soon as possible.
Can Sabrina Ionescu Snap out of Her Slump?
If the Liberty want to go far in the playoffs, they need more from Sabrina Ionescu.
Ionescu has been mired in a slump in recent weeks, and she hopes to break out of it today. Over her past seven games, Ionescu is averaging 13.7 points per game on .359/.160/.880 shooting splits. For the Liberty to play at their best, she has to be better. If the four-time All-Star isn’t hitting her threes or getting downhill into the paint, everything becomes harder for this group.
The time off will go a long way — and so would a good game against the Sky.
From the Vault
Ones in the air for Peter Cullen
More reading: Chicago Sun Times, Swish Appeal, Breakaway, SB Nation, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, New York Daily News, No Cap Space, New York Post, Newsday, The Athletic, NY Liberty Fan TV, Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, Winsidr, The Stomp, The Post Presence, Her Hoop Stats, Yahoo Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, and The IX Basketball.
