After a tough 10-game stretch resulting in just 2 wins and 8 losses, the Chicago Sky isn’t giving up just yet. “We’re looking for fight. Competing is what we’re looking for… regardless of who we’re down with,” Tyler Marsh had made clear. But if the roster is acting upon it, the results aren’t reflecting. They have lost 2 more games since then, making their next game against the Golden State Valkyries a crucial one.

The new franchise, though, won’t let them have it easy. At 13-13, Kate Martin & Co. have helped better than most expected out of their opening season. If the injury-plagued Sky are looking to snap their 6-game losing streak against a team that defeated the Atlanta Dream, they have got to “Push through. Through injuries, through battling, through everything,” like Reese notes. Will that be enough this time?

Where to Watch

• Date: August 1, 2025
• Time: 5:00 AM IST
• Venue: Wintrust Arena, Chicago
• TV: ION
• Streaming: FuboTV (Free trial available)

Injury Report

Well, it won’t be a smooth ride for either team—especially not for Chicago Sky, who are missing five key players due to injuries.

Chicago Sky

• Angel Reese (F)
  It had only been four days since her return from a previous injury, and now she’s listed OUT again with a back issue. This is a major blow, considering Reese had been driving the team’s offense in Courtney Vandersloot’s absence alongside Kamilla Cardoso. She also currently leads the WNBA in double-doubles, making her absence particularly painful for the Sky’s rebounding and scoring efforts.
• Courtney Vandersloot (G)
  Already ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ACL tear.
• Ariel Atkins (G)
  Out with a leg injury sustained during a recent game against the Lynx.
• Michaela Onyenwere (F)
  Onyenwere is battling a lingering knee injury that has caused her to miss two recent games. While she has played in 8 of the team’s first 9 games, her minutes and impact have diminished lately. She remains day-to-day, and her availability will likely be determined after warmups.
• Hailey Van Lith (G)
  Van Lith has been dealing with a lingering ankle issue originally reported before the season opener. Initially listed as probable, the discomfort has persisted, placing her in the day-to-day category. She’s at risk of missing a third straight game, which means more minutes for Rachel Banham and Kia Nurse.

Golden State Valkyries

• Kayla Thornton (F)
  The Valkyries’ first-ever All-Star and leading scorer (14 PPG, 7 RPG) is out for the season after undergoing right knee surgery following a practice injury.
• Monique Billings (F)
  Billings reinjured her left ankle after attempting a return and playing just nine minutes. She’s now sidelined again as a precaution.
• Cecilia Zandalasini (F)
  After delivering a game-winning performance against Atlanta, Zandalasini suffered a left foot injury. Initially questionable, she has now been officially ruled OUT for tonight’s game.

Probable Lineups

Chicago Sky (Expected):

• G: Kia Nurse
• G: Rachel Banham
• C: Kamila Cardoso
• F: Maddy Westbeld
• G: Rebecca Allen

Golden State Valkyries (Expected):

• G: Tiffany Hayes
• G: Veronica Burton
• F: Kate Martin
• F: Janelle Salaün
• C: Iliana Rupert

Prediction & Analysis

There’s no doubt that the upcoming clash between the Golden State Valkyries and the Chicago Sky promises to be a battle of resilience. Despite being on the road, the Valkyries have shown poise under pressure, notching four away wins out of their last ten games while racking up an impressive 780 points during that stretch.

So while they’re without All-Star forward Kayla Thornton, who’s out for the season following knee surgery, Golden State has stepped up with back-to-back road wins against the Dream and Mystics—both sealed with clutch defensive stands in the final seconds. Chicago, on the other hand, is desperately looking to break out of a six-game losing skid. With a 7–19 record and key players like Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins sidelined due to injuries, the Sky are facing an uphill battle.

However, they do enter this game with fresher legs, having had a rest advantage over a Valkyries team that played the night before. So you know why ESPN has given the Sky a slight edge with a 51.9% chance of winning—a nod perhaps to their potential to bounce back if they can capitalize on Golden State’s fatigue. But, ultimately, both teams have something to prove!