The last time they clashed, it was in 2024. That meeting resulted in Connecticut setting a new franchise regular-season win record with its 28 victory. The loss for Sky must’ve stung hard. Moreover, for Rachel Banham, it had to hit a little deeper. After spending her first three WNBA seasons (2016–2019) with the Sun, she took a break from the league. When she returned in 2024, ironically in a Sky jersey, facing her former team on such a milestone night, it did not go well.

Will the Sun be able to replicate that win tonight? Both teams are riding off of fresh losses. Connecticut was stunned by the Mystics in a 104-67 blowout, while Chicago fell to the Dream 88-70 just yesterday. Tonight, redemption is on the line for both squads. Though let’s be honest, one needs it a little more than the other. You can probably guess which.

The Injury Report

Chicago Sky:

• Moriah Jefferson: Out (leg injury)
• Courtney Vandersloot: Out for the season (torn right ACL)

Both the guards would have brought value to the franchise. Moriah Jefferson’s presence might have been especially helpful because she spent some time with the Connecticut Sun, so she would have an idea of how the squad functions. That kind of experience can weigh a lot in times like these, but sadly for the Sky, they will be missing out on it. However, they do have Rachel Banham, who, as mentioned earlier, had a similar trajectory. Also, while Jefferson has resumed light on-court work, she did not travel with the team and is still listed as week-to-week.

Making matters worse for them comes the devastating loss of Courtney Vandersloot. She tore her right ACL on June 7 during the opening quarter of a matchup against the Indiana Fever. An MRI scan later confirmed the extent of the injury, which has sidelined her for the entire 2025 season. This will not only cut her year short but also rob the league of one of its most reliable floor generals.

Connecticut Sun:

If you thought that the Sky was badly injured, brace yourselves for exactly double. The Sun has 4 of its crucial pieces out for tonight (as of now).

• Rayah Marshall: Out (ankle injury) 
• Olivia Nelson‑Ododa: (ankle injury, day-to-day)
• Lindsay Allen: Out (Achilles injury, probable)
• Saniya Rivers: (day-to-day)

Just like Sky, the Sun will also be without its veteran floor general, Lindsay Allen. Listed as probable, her return alone has the potential to make this an easy game for the team.

Predicted Starting 5

Chicago Sky:

• Angel Reese
• Kamilla Cardoso
• Rachel Banham
• Kia Nurse
• Ariel Atkins

Connecticut Sun:

• Saniya Rivers
• Tina Charles
• Bria Hartley
• Marina Mabrey
• Aneesah Morrow

Who will improve that 2-7?

DraftKings predicts the Sky to snatch the win at -108. But there are a lot of things at stake and the margin is razor-thin. 

Both the Sun and Sky head into Sunday’s game with identical 2–7 records, just one rung above the league’s bottom held by the Dallas Wings. But this matchup holds extra weight for Connecticut: the Sky are already eliminated from Commissioner’s Cup contention, whereas the Sun, sitting at 1–2 in the Cup race, still have a shot to climb the standings. So, expect Connecticut to come out firing.

They will need to shift a lot of their focus towards Angel Reese, the WNBA’s top rebounder at 11.8 boards per game. After all, the Sun is the league’s weakest rebounding side, snagging only 46.2% of available rebounds, with a defensive rebounding rate of 66.9%, numbers that could allow Reese to dominate the glass on Sunday.

Offensively, Connecticut has been struggling mightily. They sit at the bottom of the league with a net rating of –22.6, shoot just 45.5% on effective field goals, and commit turnovers on 20.7% of possessions. Not to forget that the Sun is going through their worst start in nearly a decade, and their point differential through nine games is a franchise record low, at –157. Meanwhile, despite their own issues, the Sky have been their superior selves at times, beating the Wings twice and doing well against similarly ranked teams. However, they fall short when facing elite competition.

Anyway, in short, the Sun has its work cut out. Especially now, when the future of the franchise is facing an uncertain time with the Mohegan Tribe ownership exploring strategic options, like selling the team. While President Jennifer Rizzotti has said that the team is committed to the community that keeps supporting them, the players and the coaches need to show that on the court as well.