Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream: WNBA Showdown Packed With Playoff Implications
The Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream meet for the second time this WNBA season on Tuesday night, with both teams jockeying for position in a tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, where the Sky will look to avenge their 88-70 loss to the Dream on June 13, 2025—a game that saw Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard erupt for a season-high 36 points.
With just six games remaining in the regular season, every contest carries outsized weight. The Sky (12-14) currently sit in the No. 6 seed, one game ahead of the Dream (11-15), who occupy the final playoff spot. A win for Atlanta would pull them even in the standings and provide them the tiebreaker advantage based on their 1-0 head-to-head record this season. For Chicago, a victory would solidify their hold on a playoff berth while keeping pressure on the fifth-seeded Washington Mystics (13-13).
Key Storylines Heading Into Tuesday’s Game
1. The Rhyne Howard Factor
No player has been more instrumental in Atlanta’s late-season surge than second-year guard Rhyne Howard. In the Dream’s June 13 win over Chicago, Howard scored 36 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three-point range, while adding seven rebounds and four assists. Her ability to create her own shot and stretch defenses has made her one of the most dangerous scorers in the league.
“Rhyne is playing with a different level of confidence right now,” Dream head coach Tanisha Wright said in a post-practice interview on Monday. “She’s reading defenses better, and when she gets going, it opens things up for everyone else.”
Howard is averaging 22.3 points per game over her last five outings, up from her season average of 18.7. Her three-point shooting has been particularly lethal, connecting at a 41.2% clip during that stretch. For the Sky, containing Howard will require a collective effort, with veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot likely drawing the primary assignment.
2. Chicago’s Frontcourt Struggles
The Sky have been without starting center Mercedes Russell since April 15 due to a right ankle sprain. In her absence, Chicago’s frontcourt has struggled to protect the rim and secure defensive rebounds. The Sky are allowing 48.7 points in the paint per game over their last six contests—nearly four points higher than their season average.
“We miss Mercedes’ presence on both ends,” Sky head coach James Wade said. “She’s our anchor defensively, and not having her has forced us to adjust our rotations.”
Atlanta has taken advantage of similar matchups this season, ranking third in the league in points in the paint (46.2 per game). Center Naz Hillmon, who is averaging 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds over her last 10 games, will look to exploit Chicago’s interior defense. The Sky will counter with a combination of Azurá Stevens and rookie Kamilla Cardoso, who has shown flashes of rim protection but remains inconsistent.
3. The Three-Point Battle
Both teams rank in the top five in three-point attempts per game, with Atlanta (32.1) and Chicago (31.8) relying heavily on perimeter shooting to generate offense. The Dream have been particularly effective from deep in recent weeks, shooting 38.6% as a team over their last seven games—up from their season mark of 35.2%.
For Chicago, Kahleah Copper has been the primary perimeter threat, averaging 19.8 points per game while shooting 37.9% from three-point range. Copper’s ability to attack closeouts and create off the dribble will be crucial in breaking down Atlanta’s defense, which ranks 10th in the league in three-point defense (36.1%).
“We have to close out better,” Wright said. “When teams gain hot from three, it can really change the complexion of a game. We’ve got to be disciplined in our rotations and make sure we’re contesting every shot.”
Injury Report and Availability
The Sky will be without center Mercedes Russell (ankle) for the fourth consecutive game. Russell, who is averaging 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, remains without a definitive return timeline. Guard Lexie Hull (knee) is listed as questionable but participated in Monday’s shootaround.
The Dream will have their full roster available, with forward Nia Coffey (ankle) cleared to play after missing Saturday’s loss to the Connecticut Sun. Coffey, who is averaging 8.1 points per game, provides valuable depth in the frontcourt.
| Chicago Sky | Atlanta Dream |
|---|---|
| G – Courtney Vandersloot | G – Rhyne Howard |
| G – Kahleah Copper | G – Allisha Gray |
| F – Rebekah Gardner | F – Cheyenne Parker |
| F – Azurá Stevens | F – Nia Coffey |
| C – Kamilla Cardoso | C – Naz Hillmon |
What to Watch
- Howard vs. Vandersloot: The matchup between Atlanta’s dynamic scorer and Chicago’s veteran floor general will be pivotal. Vandersloot, who leads the WNBA in assists (7.8 per game), will need to limit Howard’s touches while also facilitating for Copper and Stevens.
- Rebounding Battle: The Sky rank 11th in the league in rebounding margin (-1.2), while the Dream are sixth (+1.8). With Russell sidelined, Chicago’s ability to crash the boards will be tested against Hillmon and Parker.
- Bench Production: Atlanta’s bench has outscored opponents by 3.4 points per game this season, the second-best mark in the league. Guard Aari McDonald, who is averaging 9.2 points per game, will be key in providing a spark off the bench.
- Fourth-Quarter Execution: The Sky have struggled in close games, going 2-6 in contests decided by five points or fewer. Atlanta, meanwhile, has won four of its last five one-possession games. Both teams will need to execute down the stretch to secure a critical win.
Standings Implications
A win for the Dream would pull them even with the Sky in the standings and give them the head-to-head tiebreaker. Atlanta would also move within one game of the fifth-seeded Washington Mystics, who lost to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. For Chicago, a victory would create some breathing room in the playoff race, potentially putting them two games ahead of the Dream with five games remaining.
The loser of Tuesday’s game will face an uphill battle in the playoff race, with both teams likely needing to win at least three of their remaining five games to secure a postseason berth. The Sky close the season with a three-game homestand, while the Dream finish with two road games against the Indiana Fever and a home tilt against the New York Liberty.
Eastern Conference Standings (as of April 28, 2026)
| Team | W | L | GB | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Liberty | 18 | 8 | — | 3-2 |
| Connecticut Sun | 16 | 10 | 2.0 | 4-1 |
| Washington Mystics | 13 | 13 | 5.0 | 2-3 |
| Chicago Sky | 12 | 14 | 6.0 | 3-2 |
| Atlanta Dream | 11 | 15 | 7.0 | 3-2 |
| Indiana Fever | 8 | 18 | 10.0 | 1-4 |
How to Watch
Tuesday’s game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream the game live on the WNBA League Pass or through the NBA app.
For those attending in person, Wintrust Arena will open its doors at 6:00 p.m. Local time. The arena is located at 1901 W. Madison St. In Chicago, with public transportation options including the CTA Green and Pink Lines (Ashland station).
Key Takeaways
- Playoff Race: This game is essentially a must-win for both teams, with the loser likely needing to sweep their remaining schedule to secure a playoff spot.
- Rhyne Howard’s Scoring: Atlanta’s second-year guard is in the midst of a career-best stretch, and her ability to score efficiently will be critical.
- Frontcourt Depth: The Sky’s lack of a traditional center has hurt their interior defense, and they’ll need Azurá Stevens and Kamilla Cardoso to step up.
- Three-Point Shooting: Both teams rely heavily on the three-ball, and whichever squad can shoot a higher percentage will likely control the game’s tempo.
- Bench Impact: Atlanta’s bench has been a strength all season, and their ability to outscore Chicago’s reserves could be the difference.
What’s Next
The Sky will host the Indiana Fever on Friday, May 1, in another critical matchup for both teams. Chicago will look to build on any momentum from Tuesday’s game, while Indiana (8-18) will aim to play spoiler in the playoff race.
The Dream, meanwhile, will travel to Indianapolis for a rematch with the Fever on Sunday, May 3. Atlanta will need to carry over any positive momentum from Tuesday’s game, as they look to climb further up the Eastern Conference standings.
