Liberty Secure Victory Over Sky at Barclays Center
Saturday, August 29, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Barclays Center
New York Liberty 85, Chicago Sky 66, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Chicago Sky vs New York Liberty?
New York Liberty beat Chicago Sky 85-66 at Barclays Center on August 29, 2026.
Who was favored in Chicago Sky vs New York Liberty?
New York Liberty were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -380 (about 79% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup at Barclays Center, the New York Liberty triumphed over the Chicago Sky with a final score of 85-66. This victory marked the Liberty's fourth win in their last five encounters against the Sky, solidifying their dominance in the recent series, which they now lead 3-1 this season.
The Liberty entered the game with a home record of 24-16, showcasing a strong performance at home with a 5-1 record in their last six games. Despite a recent loss to the Golden State Valkyries, where they fell 60-79, the Liberty had averaged 90.6 points while allowing 86.8 in their last ten games, indicating a potent offense paired with some defensive vulnerabilities. Their recent form had seen them winning 7 out of their last 10, although they were on a one-game losing streak prior to this matchup.
Conversely, the Chicago Sky, with a record of 15-25, struggled throughout the season. They had a 4-6 record in their last ten games and were on a two-game losing streak, including a recent 81-87 loss to the Connecticut Sun. The Sky averaged 86.0 points scored but allowed 90.8, reflecting significant defensive issues. Their away performance was particularly concerning, with a record of just 1-3 in their last four away games.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Liberty had the upper hand, winning five of the last seven meetings against the Sky. Their previous encounter this season saw the Liberty lose 86-93 in Chicago, but they had secured victories in earlier matchups, including a narrow 95-94 win at home on July 22.
Injuries played a significant role in this game, impacting both teams. The Liberty were without Satou Sabally due to a concussion, while the Sky were missing key players Skylar Diggins (knee), DiJonai Carrington (foot), and Rickea Jackson (knee). The absence of these players likely affected the Sky's ability to compete effectively against a strong Liberty side.
The betting market reflected the Liberty's strong position, with DraftKings listing them as 8.5-point favorites. The total points line was set at 181.5, indicating expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, which ultimately aligned with the Liberty's scoring capabilities.
Conditions during the game were typical for late August, providing a comfortable environment for both teams to showcase their skills. Fans were treated to a display of offensive prowess from the Liberty, who executed plays effectively and maintained control throughout the match.
Key moments in the game included a series of scoring plays in the fourth quarter that highlighted the Liberty's offensive depth. Notable contributions came from players like Marine Fauthoux, who made a significant three-point shot, and Jacy Sheldon, who consistently capitalized on free-throw opportunities. The Liberty's ability to maintain a strong lead in the final quarter underscored their dominance and strategic execution.
Overall, this game not only showcased the Liberty's strengths but also highlighted the challenges faced by the Sky, particularly in the absence of their star players. The Liberty's performance sets a positive tone for their upcoming matches as they look to build on this momentum.
What we said beforehand
The New York Liberty will host the Chicago Sky at Barclays Center on August 29, 2026, in a matchup that has significant implications for both teams. The Liberty currently lead the series 2-1, having won two of their three meetings this season. This game is crucial as both teams are looking to solidify their playoff positions in the WNBA.
The New York Liberty enter this game with a record of 23-16. In their last five games, they have recorded two wins and three losses, with their most recent game resulting in a loss to the Golden State Valkyries, where they fell 60-79. Prior to that, they secured victories against the Indiana Fever (109-102) and the Connecticut Sun (82-75). The Liberty's home form has been strong overall, with a home record of 5-1 in their last six games, averaging 90.6 points scored and allowing 86.8 points per game over their last ten home outings. However, they are currently on a one-game losing streak.
On the other hand, the Chicago Sky come into this game with a record of 15-24. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses in their last five games, including a notable victory against the Liberty (93-86) on August 19. However, they have struggled in their recent outings, losing their last two games against the Indiana Fever (90-113) and the Connecticut Sun (81-87). The Sky's away record has been less impressive, with only one win in their last four away games.
In terms of injuries, the Liberty will be without Satou Sabally due to a concussion. The Sky face a more significant challenge, as they will be missing four players: Skylar Diggins (knee), DiJonai Carrington (foot), and Rickea Jackson (knee), all of whom are out for this matchup. This could impact the Sky's depth and performance significantly.
The betting market reflects the Liberty's current standing, with DraftKings setting the odds at New York -8.5. The total points line is set at 179.5, with the over priced at -115.0 and the under at -105.0. The moneyline shows the Liberty at -360.0 and the Sky at 285.0, indicating a strong favorite status for New York.
Conditions for the game are expected to be standard for indoor basketball, with no adverse weather factors affecting play. Viewers should watch for Breanna Stewart, who leads the Liberty with an average of 20.6 points per game, and Kamilla Cardoso of the Sky, who leads her team with 14.9 points per game. Additionally, the performance of the Liberty's defense will be crucial, especially given their recent struggles against the Sky in their last meeting.
As both teams prepare for this important fixture, the Liberty will look to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Sky will aim to overcome their injury challenges and build on their recent success against New York.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NY -8.5 | 181.5 o -110 / u -110 | Chicago Sky +300 · New York Liberty -380 |
Injury report
- Satou SaballyOutConcussionNew York Liberty
- Skylar DigginsOutKneeChicago Sky
- DiJonai CarringtonOutFootChicago Sky
- Rickea JacksonOutKneeChicago Sky
Leaders
- PointsHan Xu19New York Liberty
- AssistsSabrina Ionescu4New York Liberty
- ReboundsBreanna Stewart9New York Liberty
- PointsNatasha Cloud14Chicago Sky
- AssistsCourtney Vandersloot6Chicago Sky
- ReboundsCourtney Vandersloot5Chicago Sky
Recent form
New York Liberty
Last 10: 7-3Streak L190.6 scored · 86.8 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L60-79vs Golden State ValkyriesAug 28
- W109-102vs Indiana FeverAug 22
- L86-93at Chicago SkyAug 19
- W82-75at Connecticut SunAug 15
- W85-81vs Los Angeles SparksAug 14
- L92-106at Indiana FeverAug 11
- W111-71vs Las Vegas AcesAug 9
- W92-86vs Seattle StormAug 5
- W95-83vs Seattle StormAug 3
- W94-92at Phoenix MercuryAug 1
Chicago Sky
Last 10: 4-6Streak L286 scored · 90.8 allowed per game1-3 away
- L81-87at Connecticut SunAug 25
- L90-113vs Indiana FeverAug 23
- W73-70vs Golden State ValkyriesAug 21
- W93-86vs New York LibertyAug 19
- W82-80at Seattle StormAug 16
- L71-91at Golden State ValkyriesAug 13
- L88-97at Seattle StormAug 11
- L86-90vs Indiana FeverAug 8
- W95-88vs Los Angeles SparksAug 6
- L101-106vs Phoenix MercuryAug 4
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | - | 14 | W1 | .650 | 26 |
| Indiana | - | 14 | W2 | .650 | 26 |
| New York | 2 | 16 | W1 | .600 | 24 |
| Washington | 2 | 16 | L1 | .600 | 24 |
| Chicago | 11 | 25 | L3 | .375 | 15 |
| Toronto | 15 | 29 | L4 | .275 | 11 |
| Connecticut | 16 | 30 | L3 | .250 | 10 |
Box score
| Stat | Chicago Sky | New York Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-66 | 27-70 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 4-18 | 11-27 |
| Three-point % | 22 | 41 |
| Free throws | 12-18 | 20-22 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 91 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 3 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 36 |
| Assists | 18 | 17 |
| Steals | 4 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 30 |
| Fouls | 23 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 24 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 8 | 88 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter34-46Sydney Taylor makes 23-foot three point jumper (Courtney Vandersloot assists)
- 3rd Quarter34-49Jonquel Jones makes 25-foot three point jumper (Sabrina Ionescu assists)
- 3rd Quarter35-49Sydney Taylor makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter37-49Natasha Cloud makes 18-foot pullup jump shot (Courtney Vandersloot assists)
- 3rd Quarter37-50Pauline Astier makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter37-51Pauline Astier makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter39-51Sydney Taylor makes 4-foot floating jump shot
- 3rd Quarter40-51Sydney Taylor makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter40-53Breanna Stewart makes two point shot
- 3rd Quarter40-55Breanna Stewart makes 17-foot jumper (Pauline Astier assists)
- 3rd Quarter40-57Han Xu makes 3-foot layup (Rebecca Allen assists)
- 3rd Quarter40-58Han Xu makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter40-60Rebekah Gardner makes running layup
- 3rd Quarter43-60Rachel Banham makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jacy Sheldon assists)
- 4th Quarter43-62Han Xu makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter45-62Elizabeth Williams makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot (Rachel Banham assists)
- 4th Quarter45-64Leonie Fiebich makes 2-foot layup (Han Xu assists)
- 4th Quarter45-65Leonie Fiebich makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter45-66Leonie Fiebich makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter47-66Kamilla Cardoso makes 4-foot layup (Courtney Vandersloot assists)
- 4th Quarter47-69Rebecca Allen makes 24-foot three point jumper (Pauline Astier assists)
- 4th Quarter49-69Courtney Vandersloot makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter49-72Rebecca Allen makes 22-foot three point jumper (Pauline Astier assists)
- 4th Quarter51-72Courtney Vandersloot makes 15-foot jumper (Kamilla Cardoso assists)
- 4th Quarter51-75Han Xu makes 25-foot three point jumper (Rebecca Allen assists)
- 4th Quarter53-75Courtney Vandersloot makes layup (Rachel Banham assists)
- 4th Quarter53-77Pauline Astier makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter54-77Azura Stevens makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter55-77Azura Stevens makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter57-77Gabriela Jaquez makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Jacy Sheldon assists)
- 4th Quarter59-77Gabriela Jaquez makes 13-foot running pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter61-77Jacy Sheldon makes running layup (Kamilla Cardoso assists)
- 4th Quarter61-79Han Xu makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot (Rebekah Gardner assists)
- 4th Quarter62-79Jacy Sheldon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter62-82Marine Fauthoux makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 4th Quarter63-82Jacy Sheldon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter64-82Jacy Sheldon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter64-84Rebekah Gardner makes running layup (Marine Fauthoux assists)
- 4th Quarter66-84Elizabeth Williams makes 8-foot floating jump shot (Jacy Sheldon assists)
- 4th Quarter66-85Marine Fauthoux makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours New York Liberty, below favours Chicago Sky.
Venue
- Barclays CenterBrooklyn, NY
- Attendance17107
- OfficialsTiara Cruse, Ryan Sassano, Tyler Mirkovich
Elsewhere
- Russell Westbrook joins board of basketball league Project B
- How do the WNBA playoffs work? Dates, format and more
- Wings' Li to miss FIBA World Cup due to lost passport
- 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup: Team USA analysis, rankings, rosters
- Why are there no WNBA games for two weeks? More about FIBA break
- 2026 WNBA championship odds: Lynx still odds-on title favorites; Aces, Valkyries next
- U.S. coach Kara Lawson calls World Cup most challenging
- Sky's Skylar Diggins (knee) to miss remainder of season