By Muzammil Abbasi 
The rivalry between the Chicago Sky and the New York Liberty provides some of the most exciting matchups in the WNBA, featuring a blend of established stars and rising talents. For fans and analysts, a deep dive into the player statistics reveals the stories behind the scores and highlights the individual battles that define these games. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of key performances from their 2025 encounters and the season-long stats that set the stage for this compelling rivalry.
Head-to-Head: 2025 Matchup Analysis
The New York Liberty and Chicago Sky faced off four times during the 2025 WNBA season, with the Liberty securing the season series 3-1. The games showcased contrasting styles and pivotal individual performances that swung the outcomes.
Key Game: Liberty’s Commanding 99-74 Victory (May 23, 2025)
In the first meeting in Chicago, the Liberty set a dominant tone. Their offensive efficiency was staggering, shooting 55% from the field and an impressive 56% from the three-point line. This sharpshooting overwhelmed a Sky team that struggled, managing only a 36% field goal percentage and turning the ball over 24 times.
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New York’s Standouts: The Liberty’s victory was a masterclass in balanced scoring and defense. Jonquel Jones was a force on both ends, contributing with blocks and three-pointers. The backcourt of Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud facilitated the offense seamlessly.
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Chicago’s Challenge: The Sky’s interior offense was stifled, with Jonquel Jones recording multiple blocks against Chicago’s posts. This game underscored a recurring theme for the Sky in 2025: difficulties in scoring consistency, as reflected in their season ranking of 12th in the league for points per game (75.8).
Key Game: Sky’s Gritty 91-85 Win (August 22, 2025)
The Sky broke through for a victory in the second game in New York, showcasing their resilience. They won the battle in the paint and on the glass, out-rebounding the Liberty 42 to 27 and shooting 50% from the field.
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Chicago’s Response: Kamilla Cardoso was instrumental inside, making several key two-point shots. The Sky also benefited from a strong team effort in distributing the ball to overcome the Liberty’s perimeter shooting.
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New York’s Effort: Despite the loss, the Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones continued their strong offensive output, keeping the game close with combined scoring and playmaking.
The tale of these two games highlights the primary factors in this rivalry: New York’s explosive perimeter scoring versus Chicago’s determination to control the paint and rebounds.
2025 Season Statistical Leaders
Beyond the head-to-head battles, the season-long statistics for both teams reveal their core identities and most reliable performers.
Chicago Sky’s Season Leaders
The 2025 season was a building year for the Sky, who finished with a 10-34 record. Despite the team’s challenges, several individual performances stood out, led by their rookie phenom and veteran guards.
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Angel Reese (F): The standout rookie established herself as a nightly double-double threat. She averaged 14.7 points and a formidable 12.6 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories.
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Kamilla Cardoso (C): Another key interior presence, Cardoso provided efficient scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.6 points on 52.8% shooting and 8.5 rebounds per game.
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Ariel Atkins (G): As a veteran leader, Atkins contributed 13.1 points per game and was the team’s most reliable three-point threat among regulars, hitting 36.1% of her attempts from deep.
Table: Chicago Sky 2025 Key Player Stats
| Player | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Reese | 14.7 | 12.6 | 4.1 Offensive Rebounds/Gm |
| Kamilla Cardoso | 13.6 | 8.5 | 52.8% Field Goal % |
| Ariel Atkins | 13.1 | 3.4 | 1.6 Steals/Gm |
New York Liberty’s Season Leaders
The Liberty, a championship contender, boasted one of the most potent and balanced offenses in the league, finishing the season averaging 83.4 points per game. Their success was powered by an All-Star lineup.
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Sabrina Ionescu (G): The star guard orchestrated the offense, leading the team with 18.2 points per game and 5.7 assists per game, while also pulling down 4.9 rebounds.
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Breanna Stewart (F): A perennial MVP candidate, Stewart was a model of all-around excellence, averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and over a block and a steal per game.
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Jonquel Jones (C): The dominant center averaged a near double-double with 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while also stretching the floor with a 40.4% three-point shooting percentage.
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Natasha Cloud (G): As the floor general, Cloud was essential for her playmaking and defense, averaging 10.1 points and a team-high 5.1 assists per game.
Table: New York Liberty 2025 Key Player Stats
| Player | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabrina Ionescu | 18.2 | 4.9 | 5.7 Assists/Gm |
| Breanna Stewart | 18.3 | 6.5 | 1.4 Steals/Gm |
| Jonquel Jones | 13.6 | 8.1 | 40.4% 3-Point % |
| Natasha Cloud | 10.1 | 3.7 | 5.1 Assists/Gm |
Performance Analysis: What the Stats Reveal
The statistics from both the head-to-head games and the full season point to clear strategic dynamics when these two teams clash.
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The Paint Battle: The Sky’s strategy is built around dominating the interior. With Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, they are a top rebounding team. Their victory in August was directly tied to a +15 rebound margin. Containing this duo is the Liberty’s foremost defensive challenge.
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The Perimeter Arsenal: The Liberty’s offense is multifaceted and often runs through the three-point line. In their May victory, they made 19 three-pointers. Players like Ionescu, Jones, and Leonie Fiebich (who shot 40.9% from three) force defenses to spread out, creating driving lanes and one-on-one opportunities for Stewart.
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The Turnover Differential: A critical factor in the Liberty’s wins was their ability to force turnovers and capitalize on them. In the May game, they forced 24 Sky turnovers, translating directly into easy transition points. The defensive pressure from Cloud, Ionescu, and Stewart is a key component of their identity.
Conclusion
Analyzing the player stats from the Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty matchups goes far beyond the box score. It reveals a compelling clash of styles: the Sky’s gritty, interior-focused effort against the Liberty’s sleek, perimeter-powered machine. For Chicago, future success hinges on controlling the glass and limiting turnovers. For New York, it’s about maintaining their offensive efficiency and weathering the physical battle inside.