WNBA basketball is weird right now. One night you think a team is turning the corner, and the next, they're getting run off their own home floor. That’s basically been the story of the Chicago Sky vs Seattle Storm matchup lately. If you’ve been watching, you know it hasn't exactly been a "rivalry" in the traditional sense of back-and-forth drama. It’s been more of a clinic.
Last season, the Storm didn’t just win. They dominated. They swept the three-game series in 2025, capped off by a 79-69 win in late August that felt much wider than a 10-point margin. Seattle moved to 22-19 with that win, while Chicago slid further into a rebuilding hole at 9-30.
Honestly, the disparity between these two franchises right now is a perfect case study in how to build a roster versus how to survive one. Seattle has this veteran "Big Three" energy that feels polished. Chicago? They have a lot of heart and a couple of young stars, but they’re clearly still searching for an identity that sticks.
The Nneka Ogwumike Factor
You can't talk about these games without mentioning Nneka Ogwumike. She’s like the steady hand that keeps the Seattle ship from rocking. In that August 30th game, she dropped 20 points, leading six different Seattle players in double figures. That’s the scary part about the Storm. It’s not just one person you have to stop.
If you focus on Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith will hurt you. If you double Skylar, Ezi Magbegor is right there in the paint.
Chicago actually kept it close for a minute. Angel Reese hit a couple of free throws to bring the Sky within five points in the fourth quarter. It felt like maybe, just maybe, they’d pull off the upset. Then Skylar Diggins-Smith did what she does—hit a three-point play, sparked a 7-0 run, and that was that. Game over.
Rebuilding Pains for the Sky
Watching the Chicago Sky vs Seattle Storm lately is basically watching a team try to learn how to win in real-time. Angel Reese is a walking double-double, we know this. She put up 20 points and 10 rebounds in that final 2025 meeting. But stats don't always translate to "W's."
Chicago lost 17 of their last 19 games to close out that season. That’s a brutal stretch. It’s not for lack of talent, though. Kamilla Cardoso is a literal mountain in the paint. She grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked shots, but the offensive flow just isn't there yet.
The Sky’s biggest issue? Turnovers and shooting consistency. In their July 2025 matchup, they only scored 57 points. Fifty-seven! In a professional basketball game, that’s almost hard to do. They shot 18% from three-point land. You aren't beating a team like Seattle with those numbers.
Recent Head-to-Head Results
- August 30, 2025: Seattle 79, Chicago 69 (Seattle)
- August 19, 2025: Seattle 94, Chicago 88 (Chicago)
- July 24, 2025: Seattle 95, Chicago 57 (Chicago)
- July 7, 2024: Seattle 84, Chicago 71 (Seattle)
As you can see, the Storm have basically owned the real estate in Chicago’s head. The 94-88 game in mid-August was the most competitive of the bunch, but Seattle’s depth just wears teams down.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s this narrative that Chicago is "too young" or "too small." That’s not really it. They actually out-rebound Seattle quite often. In their last meeting, the Sky had 37 rebounds to Seattle's 28. Usually, if you win the boards by nearly 10, you win the game.
But Chicago turned the ball over 18 times.
Seattle is a "punisher" team. They don't need a million shots; they just need you to make a mistake. They play a very "pro" style of ball—low turnovers, high-efficiency passing, and veteran defensive rotations. Chicago plays a "high-energy" style, which is fun to watch but leads to those 17-loss-in-19-game skids when the energy doesn't result in points.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
When these two teams meet in 2026, keep your eyes on the point guard battle. Skylar Diggins-Smith vs. whoever Chicago decides to put out there (lately it's been a mix of Chennedy Carter and others) is fascinating. Skylar is all about pace and control. Chennedy is all about chaos and speed.
Then you have the post battle. Magbegor and Ogwumike against Reese and Cardoso. This is probably the most physical matchup in the league. Reese is relentless on the offensive glass, but Magbegor is one of the best rim protectors in the world. It’s a classic "unstoppable force meets immovable object" situation.
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Looking Ahead to 2026
The WNBA is expanding, the talent is getting deeper, and the 2026 season is shaping up to be a crossroads for both these teams. Seattle is trying to keep their championship window open while their stars are still in their prime. Chicago is desperately trying to find a veteran piece to glue their young stars together.
If the Sky want to flip the script on the Chicago Sky vs Seattle Storm dynamic, they need a knockdown shooter. Period. You can't have Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso working that hard inside only for the perimeter players to shoot 20%.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Turnovers: If Chicago keeps it under 12, they have a chance. If it’s 15+, Seattle wins by double digits every time.
- The 4th Quarter Wall: Seattle’s bench is deeper. In 2025, they consistently outscored Chicago in the final five minutes. Watch for the Sky's fatigue levels.
- Reese's Efficiency: It’s not just about the double-double. If Angel Reese shoots above 45% from the field, it forces Seattle to change their defensive scheme, opening up the wings.
The gap is there, but it’s not permanent. In the WNBA, things change fast. But for now, the Storm is the standard Chicago is still trying to reach.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, keep a close eye on the 2026 WNBA Draft results. With the Dallas Wings holding the top pick this year, the talent distribution in the league is shifting again, and Chicago's ability to trade or move up could determine if they finally close the gap with Seattle.