The New York Liberty began their title defense with a 92-78 victory over the Las Vegas Aces. They will look to make it two consecutive victories Thursday when they travel to take on the Chicago Sky.
The Sky had a rough start to the season against the Indiana Fever. Chicago lost 93-58 in a game where the Sky shot just 29.1% from the field. Angel Reese had a 12-point, 17-rebound double-double, but she didn’t get much support from her teammates during the contest.
New York will be a tough matchup for Chicago, as the duo of Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones will match up well size-wise with the Sky’s frontcourt duo of Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. The Liberty also have a productive, experienced backcourt duo in Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu that will test Chicago’s defense.
Perhaps a better 3-point shooting performance from Kia Nurse and Courtney Vandersloot, who went a combined 0-for-9 from deep in the Sky’s loss to the Fever, will provide Chicago a better chance to keep pace with New York’s well-rounded offense.
Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live updates, scores and highlights for the Liberty vs. Sky matchup on Thursday:
Sky minority owner Dwyane Wade sits courtside
CHICAGO — A perk of being an owner, and a Hall of Famer, is prime seating.
Dwyane Wade was sitting courtside for the Chicago Sky’s home opener Monday night. Wade, a Chicago native who won three NBA titles with the Miami Heat, has been a part-owner of the Sky since 2023. He sat opposite the Sky bench, and got a loud ovation when he was shown on the Jumbotron at the end of the first quarter.
— Nancy Armour
End of Q1: Liberty 28, Sky 23
New York Liberty superstar Jonquel Jones can’t miss … literally. Jones is up to eight points, shooting 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from 3. Sabrina Ionescu is also having her way and dicing up the Sky defense. She scored 10 points in the first quarter, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 1-for-3 from 3.
Sky veteran Courtney Vandersloot has four points. Angel Reese has struggled offensively so far. She remains scoreless and is 0-for-5 from the field. Defense is a different story — Reese is already up to seven rebounds. The Sky’s bench, however, is keeping the contest close. Chicago’s bench has scored 12 of the team’s 23 points, led by four points from Rebecca Allen.
Courtney Vandersloot welcomed back with open arms
CHICAGO — Back as if she never left.
Courtney Vandersloot’s return to the Chicago Sky, the team that drafted her, after two years in New York was the Sky’s biggest move this offseason. That’s partly because she’s one of the best point guards to ever play the game, and helped lead Chicago to its only title, in 2021. But Vandersloot is also beloved in Chicago and by Sky fans.
She was introduced last before Thursday night’s home opener, and took the court to a loud chorus of ‘Slooooot!’
— Nancy Armour
What time is Liberty vs. Sky?
The New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky game will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 22 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
How to watch Liberty vs. Sky game: TV, stream
Time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Location: Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois
TV (local): My9 (New York) | The U (Chicago)
TV (national): WNBA League Pass
Stream: Fubo
Courtney Vandersloot will face former team
Thursday’s matchup between the Liberty and Sky will mark Vandersloot’s first game against her former team. Vandersloot played for the Liberty for two seasons in 2023-24 after spending 12 seasons in Chicago. She helped New York win its first WNBA championship last season, which marked the second of Vandersloot’s career. She previously won a title with the Sky in 2021, which marked the franchise’s first and only championship.
New York Liberty starting lineup
Chicago Sky starting lineup
Liberty vs. Sky odds
Odds via BetMGM
Spread: Liberty (-12.5)
Moneyline: Liberty (-700); Sky (+500)
Over/under: 164.5
Check out Liberty’s 2024 WNBA championship ring
The Liberty received their 2024 WNBA Championship rings during a banner-raising ceremony ahead of their 2025 season opening win over the Las Vegas Aces at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The Liberty, one of the original WNBA franchises, won their first WNBA title last season, which marked the first professional basketball championship for New York City since 1973. The ring was designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, as well as by Brooklyn-based designers Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur.
Full details on the Liberty’s championship rings here.
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