1. The Broader Context: Teams in Focus
New York Liberty, the 2024 WNBA champions, have established themselves as a pinnacle of success and consistency. After a historic run culminating in their first championship, they’ve retained the core that drove their meteoric rise—Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Courtney Vandersloot. Under head coach Sandy Brondello, they’ve continued to perform at an elite level in the 2025 season.
On the other side, the Chicago Sky are in a rebuilding phase. The franchise, champions as recently as 2021, have seen their fortunes dip, and the 2025 campaign has been especially challenging. Their roster leans on young talents like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, but injuries—particularly to veteran Courtney Vandersloot—have hampered their cohesion and competitive edge.
2. Recent Showdowns: High Drama on Court
May 22, 2025 – Liberty’s Record-Breaking Night
The opening chapter featured a dazzling performance by the Liberty, who sank a WNBA regular-season record 19 three-pointers in a dominant 99–74 rout of Chicago. Natasha Cloud and Kennedy Burke each nailed four, while Ionescu, Stewart, and Jones added to the barrage. Chicago struggled from the field and turned the ball over repeatedly, highlighting the stark mismatch ReutersSwish Appeal.
Key Insights:
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Liberty’s long-range game was virtually unstoppable.
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Sky’s offense sputtered under relentless pressure and turnover woes.
June 10, 2025 – Commissioner’s Cup Momentum
Another Liberty blowout: an 85–66 win that extended their consistency. The match was amplified by a heartfelt off-court moment—Vanessa Bryant and her daughters shared smiles with Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese, adding a stirring human touch to a high-level contest.
August 21, 2025 – Sky Upsets Liberty
In a stunning twist, the Chicago Sky turned the tables with a 91–85 victory over New York at Barclays Center. Kamilla Cardoso dominated, posting 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Angel Reese added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Together, they powered the Sky to win the paint battle (52–26) and seize control of the physical narrative. Despite strong efforts from Liberty’s Jonquel Jones (25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), the Sky’s intensity proved the difference.
Key Takeaways:
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Sky reasserted their interior dominance—landing a major blow in paint control and rebounding.
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Liberty’s inconsistency and foul trouble hindered their response.
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The matchup’s outcome has tangible playoff implications for New York, now trailing behind Atlanta for seeding.
3. Standout Players & Their Impact
Jonquel Jones – Liberty’s Anchor
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Reigning Finals MVP (2024), Jones continues to excel: averaging 14.7 PPG and 8.7 RPG, with notable efficiency across the season ESPN.com.
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In the August 21 game, she dropped 25 points and 7 rebounds, the Liberty’s top scorer that night.
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Her versatile presence—scoring, rebounding, rim protection—remains foundational to the Liberty’s identity.
Kamilla Cardoso – Sky’s Rising Force
No longer just a role player, Cardoso played like a cornerstone in the August 21 contest. She notched a career-high 16 rebounds alongside 22 points. Her interior tenacity turned the tide, spotlighting her as a major emerging star.
Angel Reese – Audacious Presence
Another bright spot for Chicago, Reese contributed 21 points and 10 boards in the same game. Her physicality and scoring efficiency added a vital edge to the Sky’s interior game.
4. Where to Watch Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty
For fans keen to catch the action live: the August 21 game tipped off at 7 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Broadcast and Streaming Options:
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Amazon Prime Video
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The U
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WWOR
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Liberty Live
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WNBA League Pass via Amazon Prime for both live and on-demand access.
These platforms provide robust coverage—whether you’re local in the New York region or watching remotely.
5. What This Means for the Teams’ Trajectories
New York Liberty
The surprising home loss to Chicago is more than a blip—it places playoff positioning at risk, with the team dropping to fourth place and now chasing the Atlanta Dream for a better seed. Coach Brondello has demanded playoff-level intensity for every remaining game, signaling that complacency is not an option.
Chicago Sky
Chicago may’ve lost the season in terms of overall record, but this win is a morale-boosting milestone. It snapped their losing skid and demonstrated their growth, particularly in the frontcourt with Cardoso and Reese leading the charge. With continued improvement and more consistency, they could surprise in the late season.
